de a sort of pet of Anne Wixted, an underchambermaid, and
attached her to her interest economically by persuading me to make her
presents of some old dresses and other things. Anne was such an angel!

But Mrs. Rusk, whose eyes were about her, detected Anne, with a
brandy-bottle under her apron, stealing up-stairs. Anne, in a panic,
declared the truth. Madame had commissioned her to buy it in the town, and
convey it to her bed-room. Upon this, Mrs. Rusk impounded the flask; and,
with Anne beside her, rather precipitately appeared before 'the Master.' He
heard and summoned Madame. Madame was cool, frank, and fluent. The brandy
was purely medicinal. She produced a document in the form of a note. Doctor
Somebody presented his compliments to Madame de la Rougierre, and ordered
her a table-spoonful of brandy and some drops of laudanum whenever the pain
of stomach returned. The flask would last a whole year, perhaps two. She
claimed her medicine.

Man's estimate of woman is higher than woman's own. Perhaps in their
relations to men they are generally more trustworthy--perhaps woman's is
the juster, and the other an appointed illusion. I don't know; but so it is
ordained.

Mrs. Rusk was recalled, and I saw, as you are aware, Madame's procedure
during the interview.

It was a great battle--a great victory. Madame was in high spirits. The air
was sweet--the landscape charming--I, so good--everything so beautiful!
Where should we go? _this_ way?

I had made a resolution to speak as little as possible to Madame, I was so
incensed at the treachery I had witnessed; but such resolutions do not last
long with very young people, and by the time we had reached the skirts of
the wood we were talking pretty much as usual.

'I don't wish to go into the wood, Madame.

'And for what?'

'Poor mamma is buried there.'

'Is _there_ the vault?' demanded Madame eagerly.

I assented.

'My faith, curious reason; you say because poor mamma is buried there you
will not approach! Why, cheaile, what would good Monsieur Ruthyn say if
he heard such thing? You are surely not so unkain', and I am with you.
_Allons_. Let us come--even a little part of the way.'

And so I yielded, though still reluctant.

There was a grass-grown road, which we easily reached, leading to the
sombre building, and we soon arrived before it.

Madame de la Rougierre seemed rather curious. She sat down on the little
bank opposite, in her most languid pose--her head