im the service he required. Of course I asked him to be
seated, and assured him that I would do anything that lay in my power.
Then he began talking about M. de Clinchain, and told me a funny story
about that eccentric man and a little actress, when I heard a great
noise in the anteroom. I was about to ring and inquire the cause, when
the door flew open and in came Van Klopen, the ladies' tailor, with a
very inflamed countenance. I thought that he had come in a hurry because
he had hit on something extremely fetching and wished me to be the first
to see it. But do you know what the impudent fellow wanted?"

A smile shone in De Breulh's eyes, as he answered,--

"Money, perhaps!"

"You are right," returned the Viscountess, gravely; "he brought my bill
into my very drawing-room, and handed it in before a stranger. I never
thought that a man who supplies the most aristocratic portion of society
could have been guilty of such a piece of impertinence. I ordered him
to leave the room, taking it for granted that he would do so with an
apology, but I was wrong. He flew into a rage and threatened me, and
swore that if I did not settle the bill on the spot, he would go to my
husband. The bill was nearly twenty thousand francs; imagine my horror!
I was so thunderstruck at the amount that I absolutely entreated him to
give me time. But my humility added to his annoyance, and taking a seat
in an armchair, he declared that he would not move from it until he
received his money, or had seen my husband."

"What was Croisenois doing all this time?" asked M. de Breulh.

"He did nothing at first, but at this last piece of audacity he took
out his pocketbook, and throwing it in Van Klopen's face, said: 'Pay
yourself, you insolent scoundrel, and get out of this.'"

"And the tailor went off?"

"No. 'I must give you a receipt,' said he, and taking writing materials
from his pocket, he wrote at the foot of the bill, 'Received from the
Marquis de Croisenois, on account of money owing by the Viscountess de
Bois Arden, the sum of twenty thousand francs.'"

"Well," said De Breulh, looking very grave, "and after Van Klopen's
departure, I suppose Croisenois remained to ask the favor regarding
which he had called?"

"You are mistaken," answered his cousin. "I had great difficulty in
making him speak; but at last he confessed that he was deeply in love
with Mademoiselle de Mussidan, and entreated me to present him to her
parents and exert all