torade.

"Neither Monsieur de Sallenauve nor Monsieur Gaston takes that stoical
view of it. In view of the headstrong nature of the woman, they fear
some violence to herself, which, as we know, she once attempted. Or else
they dread some evil adviser. The charwoman states that two or three
visits have been lately made at the house by a lady of middle age,
richly dressed, in a carriage, whose manner was singular, and who seemed
to desire secrecy in speaking with Luigia."

"Some charitable woman, of course," said Monsieur de l'Estorade; "the
runaway is given to piety."

"At any rate the truth must be discovered, and it was that which kept
Monsieur de Sallenauve from accompanying Monsieur Gaston to Ville
d'Avray."

"Well," remarked Monsieur de l'Estorade, "in spite of their respective
virtue, it is my opinion he holds by her."

"In any case," returned Madame de l'Estorade, emphasizing the word, "she
does not _hold_ by him."

"I don't agree with you," said Madame de Camps; "to avoid a man is often
the greatest proof of love."

Madame de l'Estorade looked at her friend with a vexed air, and a slight
tinge of color came into her cheeks. But no one took notice of it, for
at this moment the servant threw open the door and announced dinner.

After dinner, the theatre was proposed; that is one of the amusements
that Parisians miss the most in the provinces. Monsieur Octave de Camps,
coming from his "villanous iron-works," as Madame de l'Estorade called
them, had arrived in Paris eager for this pleasure, which his wife, more
serious and sober, did not enjoy to the same extent. Therefore, when
Monsieur de Camps proposed going to the Porte-Saint-Martin to see a
fairy piece then much in vogue, Madame Octave replied:--

"Neither Madame de l'Estorade nor I have the least desire to go out this
evening; we are very tired with our expedition. Take Rene and Nais; they
will enjoy the fairies far more than we."

The two children awaited in deep anxiety the permission which Madame
de l'Estorade finally granted; and a few moments later the two friends,
left to themselves, prepared for an evening of comfortable talk.

"I am not at home to any one," said Madame de l'Estorade to Lucas, as
soon as her family had departed.

"Now that we are alone," said Madame de Camps, "I shall proceed to
blows; I have not travelled two hundred miles to wrap up in cotton-wool
the truth I have come to tell you."

"Ready to hear it," said Madame de l