“She works for milliners' shops. Monsieur Ernest helps her.”

“Is she older than you?”

“Yes, two years older.”

“What is her name?”

“Marguerite.”

“And what is yours?”

“Violette.”

“It seems that in your family they were partial to the names of flowers.”

“Oh yes, Mamma did like them so!”

“Is your mamma no more?”

“No, Monsieur.”

“What was her name?”

“Rose.”

“Well, they did like the names of flowers! And your father?”

“Oh, he is quite well.”

“And what is his trade?”

“He is a keeper at the gates of Lille.”

“What is his name?”

“Rouchat.”

“But I perceive that I have been asking you questions for an hour, and I have not enquired of you why Monsieur Beruchet frightened you so?”

“Because he always tried to kiss me.”

“You don't say so!”

“He followed me everywhere, and I never dared to go without a light into the back shop, because I was always sure of finding him there.”

“Then you did not like him to kiss you?”

“Oh, not at all!”

“And why were you displeased so?”

“Because he is so ugly, and then I thought he did not only want to kiss me.”

“But what did he want else?”

“I don't know.”

I looked at her to see whether she wasn't making fun of me. But I perceived from her innocent look, that she was perfectly in earnest.

“Well, then, what did he do, besides kissing you?”

“He came up to my room yesterday when I was in bed; at least I think it was he, and he tried to open my door.”

“Did he say anything?”

“No, but during the day, he said: 'Do not shut your door as you did yesterday, little one, I have something of importance to tell you.'“

“And you locked your door all the same.”