with her eyes the two friends; who, with arms interlocked,
ascended the road toward Orcival. "What a difference," thought she,
"between these two men! My husband said he wished to be his friend's
steward; truly he has the air of a steward. What a noble gait the
count has, what youthful ease, what real distinction! And yet I'm
sure that my husband despises him, because he has ruined himself by
dissipation. He affected--I saw it--an air of protection. Poor
youth! But everything about the count betrays an innate or acquired
superiority; even his name, Hector--how it sounds!" And she
repeated "Hector" several times, as if it pleased her, adding,
contemptuously, "My husband's name is Clement!"

M. de Tremorel returned alone from the station, as gayly as a
convalescent taking his first airing. As soon as Bertha saw him
she left the window. She wished to remain alone, to reflect upon
this event which had happened so suddenly, to analyze her
sensations, listen to her presentiments, study her impressions and
decide, if possible, upon her line of conduct. She only reappeared
when the tea was set for her husband, who returned at eleven in the
evening. Sauvresy was faint from hunger, thirst, and fatigue, but
his face glowed with satisfaction.

"Victory!" exclaimed he, as he ate his soup. "We'll snatch you
from the hands of the Philistines yet. Parbleu! The finest
feathers of your plumage will remain, after all, and you will be
able to save enough for a good cosey nest."

Bertha glanced at her husband.

"How is that?" said she.

"It's very simple. At the very first, I guessed the game of our
friend's creditors. They reckoned on getting a sale of his effects;
would have bought them in a lump dirt cheap, as it always happens,
and then sold them in detail, dividing the profits of the operation."

"And can you prevent that?" asked Tremorel, incredulously.

"Certainly. Ah, I've completely checkmated these gentlemen. I've
succeeded by chance--I had the good luck to get them all together
this evening. I said to them, you'll let us sell this property as
we please, voluntarily, or I'll outbid you all, and spoil your cards.
They looked at me in amazement. My notary, who was with me, remarked
that I was Monsieur Sauvresy, worth two millions. Our gentlemen
opened their eyes very wide, and consented to grant my request."

Hector, notwithstanding what he had said, knew enough about his
affairs to see that this action would save him a fo