rly," replied the Baroness, "but Hortense
needed it, and--"

"And you had not enough to pay for dinner to-night," said Lisbeth,
interrupting her. "Now I understand why Mariette looked so confused when
I said something about the soup. You really are childish, Adeline; come,
take my savings."

"Thank you, my kind cousin," said Adeline, wiping away a tear. "This
little difficulty is only temporary, and I have provided for the future.
My expenses henceforth will be no more than two thousand four hundred
francs a year, rent inclusive, and I shall have the money.--Above all,
Betty, not a word to Hector. Is he well?"

"As strong as the Pont Neuf, and as gay as a lark; he thinks of nothing
but his charmer Valerie."

Madame Hulot looked out at a tall silver-fir in front of the window, and
Lisbeth could not see her cousin's eyes to read their expression.

"Did you mention that it was the day when we all dine together here?"

"Yes. But, dear me! Madame Marneffe is giving a grand dinner; she
hopes to get Monsieur Coquet to resign, and that is of the first
importance.--Now, Adeline, listen to me. You know that I am fiercely
proud as to my independence. Your husband, my dear, will certainly bring
you to ruin. I fancied I could be of use to you all by living near this
woman, but she is a creature of unfathomable depravity, and she will
make your husband promise things which will bring you all to disgrace."
Adeline writhed like a person stabbed to the heart. "My dear Adeline, I
am sure of what I say. I feel it is my duty to enlighten you.--Well, let
us think of the future. The Marshal is an old man, but he will last a
long time yet--he draws good pay; when he dies his widow would have a
pension of six thousand francs. On such an income I would undertake to
maintain you all. Use your influence over the good man to get him to
marry me. It is not for the sake of being Madame la Marechale; I value
such nonsense at no more than I value Madame Marneffe's conscience; but
you will all have bread. I see that Hortense must be wanting it, since
you give her yours."

The Marshal now came in; he had made such haste, that he was mopping his
forehead with his bandana.

"I have given Mariette two thousand francs," he whispered to his
sister-in-law.

Adeline colored to the roots of her hair. Two tears hung on the fringes
of the still long lashes, and she silently pressed the old man's hand;
his beaming face expressed the glee of a favored lo