your housekeeper.--Fear nothing,
madame, from me. You have in me the most devoted friend you will ever
have: Friend, do you understand me? I give this word its sacred and
pathetic meaning, so profaned in France, where we apply it to our
enemies. And your friend, who will defend you against everything, only
wishes that you should be as happy as such a woman ought to be. Who
can tell whether the pain I have involuntarily caused you was not a
voluntary act?'

"'Yes,' replied she with threatening audacity, 'I insist on it. Be
curious, and tell me all that you can find out about me; but,' and she
held up her finger, 'you must also tell me by what means you obtain
your information. The preservation of the small happiness I enjoy here
depends on the steps you take.'

"'That means that you will fly----'

"'On wings!' she cried, 'to the New World----'

"'Where you will be at the mercy of the brutal passions you will
inspire,' said I, interrupting her. 'Is it not the very essence of
genius and beauty to shine, to attract men's gaze, to excite desires and
evil thoughts? Paris is a desert with Bedouins; Paris is the only place
in the world where those who must work for their livelihood can hide
their life. What have you to complain of? Who am I? An additional
servant--M. Gobain, that is all. If you have to fight a duel, you may
need a second.'

"'Never mind; find out who I am. I have already said that I insist. Now,
I beg that you will,' she went on, with the grace which you ladies have
at command," said the Consul, looking at the ladies.

"'Well, then, to-morrow, at the same hour, I will tell you what I may
have discovered,' replied I. 'But do not therefore hate me! Will you
behave like other women?'

"'What do other women do?'

"'They lay upon us immense sacrifices, and when we have made them, they
reproach us for it some time later as if it were an injury.'

"'They are right if the thing required appears to be a sacrifice!'
replied she pointedly.

"'Instead of sacrifices, say efforts and----'

"'It would be an impertinence,' said she.

"'Forgive me,' said I. 'I forget that woman and the Pope are
infallible.'

"'Good heavens!' said she after a long pause, 'only two words would be
enough to destroy the peace so dearly bought, and which I enjoy like a
fraud----'

"She rose and paid no further heed to me.

"'Where can I go?' she said. 'What is to become of me?--Must I leave
this quiet retreat, that I had arrange