great rage and despair? He was accused of being the husband of
the most beautiful woman in Paris. Was that such a horrible thing, such
a terrible misfortune? And who was the brother-lawyer, the good
brother-lawyer, who had taken pleasure in coming to show him the hateful
article?

"M. Renaud."

"Oh, it was M. Renaud--dear M. Renaud!"

Thereupon Mme. Derline was seized with a hearty fit of laughter; so much
so that the blond hair, which had been loosely done up, came down and
framed the pretty face from which gleamed the dark eyes which could
also, when they gave themselves the trouble, look very gentle, very
caressing, very loving.

"Oh, it was M. Renaud, the husband of that delightful Mme. Renaud! Well,
do you know what you will do immediately, without losing a minute? Go to
the president of the Tribunal and ask for a divorce. You will say to
him: 'M. Aubepin, deliver me from my wife. Her crime is being pretty,
very pretty, too pretty. I wish another one who is ugly, very ugly, who
has Mme. Renaud's large nose, colossal foot, pointed chin, skinny
shoulders, and eternal pimples.' That's what you want, isn't it? Come,
you big stupid, kiss your poor wife, and forgive her for not being a
monster."

As rather lively gestures had illustrated this little speech, the white
cashmere dressing-gown had slipped--slipped a good deal, and had opened,
very much opened; the criminal shoulders were within reach of M.
Derline's lips--he succumbed. Besides, he too felt the abominable
influence of the press. His wife had never seemed so pretty to him, and,
brought back to subjection, M. Derline returned to his study in order to
make money for the most beautiful woman in Paris.

A very wise and opportune occupation; for scarcely was Mme. Derline left
alone when an idea flashed through her head which was to call forth a
very pretty collection of bank-notes from the cash-box of the lawyer of
the Rue Dragon. Mme. Derline had intended wearing to the Palmer's ball a
dress which had already been much seen. Mme. Derline had kept the
dress-maker of her wedding-dress, her mother's dress-maker, a
dress-maker of the Left Bank. It seemed to her that her new position
imposed new duties on her. She could not appear at the Palmer's without
a dress which had not been seen, and stamped with a well-known name. She
ordered the carriage in the afternoon, and resolutely gave her coachman
the address of one of the most illustrious dress-makers in Paris.