probate would
have been enough to show her the folly of her idea. However, it was
comforting to learn that she had not surrendered at once.

"If I am to have the privilege, Monsieur," said I, "of acting as a
family council, perhaps you may forgive my hinting at some of the
conditions that doubtless are in Madame's mind."

"Proceed, Monsieur," said he.

"I want to know where I am," said Lola in English. "He took everything
for granted from the first."

"Are you willing to go back to him?" I asked also in English.

She met my gaze steadily, and I saw a woman's needless pain at the back
of her eyes. She moistened her lips with her tongue, and said:

"Under conditions."

"Monsieur," said I in French, turning to Vauvenarde, "forgive us for
speaking our language."

"Perfectly," said he, and he smiled meaningly and banteringly at us
both.

"In the first place, Monsieur, you are aware that Madame has a little
fortune, which does not detract from the charm you have always found in
her. It was left her by her father, who, as you know, tamed lions and
directed a menagerie. I would propose that Madame appointed trustees to
administer this little fortune."

"There is no necessity, Monsieur," he said. "By the law of France it is
hers to do what she likes with."

"Precisely," I rejoined. "Trustees would prevent her from doing what she
liked with it. Madame has indeed a head for affairs, but she also has
a woman's heart, which sometimes interferes with a woman's head in the
most disastrous manner."

"Article No. 1 of the protocol. _Allez toujours_, Monsieur."

I went on, feeling happier. "The next article treats of a little matter
which I understand has been the cause of differences in the past between
Madame and yourself. Madame, although she has not entered the arena
for some time, has not finally abandoned it." I smiled at the look of
surprise on Lola's face. "An artist is always an artist, Monsieur. She
is willing, however, to renounce it for ever, if you, on your side, will
make quite a small sacrifice."

"Name it, Monsieur."

"You have a little passion for baccarat----"

"Surely, Monsieur," said he blandly, "my wife would not expect me to
give up what is the mere recreation of every clubman."

"As a recreation pure and simple--she would not insist too much,
but----" I shrugged my shoulders. I flatter myself on being able to do
it with perfect French expressiveness. I caught, to my satisfaction, an
angry gle