me altogether bad? Will you recommend me to Mademoiselle
Daniels. The Jews do not object to Christian servants, and, besides,"
she said with simplicity, "I am so poor a Christian."

"You shall enter her service. You will continue, reformed under her
charge. Go and pack up and hasten from this house--accursed as an eyrie
of vultures!"

"I am glad you have the warning. Excuse me, but if you were to do like
the colonel only pretend to go away and come back here to use your ears
and eyes, you would see what happens."

By the look that passed over her master's face, the girl, though no wise
woman, perceived that she had mistaken. He was not the sort to act like
a Von Sendlingen and hide himself to peep and listen. He would be no
better than herself if he acted thus.

"I have advised you to go away with the Daniels. I shall drive the party
over in the carriage to the station and return as though I knew of
nothing. There are times for men to act; times for God to have a clear
field. Persevere in the right path, girl, and say no more to anybody not
even Mademoiselle Daniels."

"But you will be seeing madame first?" inquired the girl, fearing the
collision to which she had contributed, but lighter of soul since she
had flashed the danger-signal.

"M. Antonino first, and then your mistress," replied he in a stern tone
which put an end to the dialogue.

CHAPTER XXI.

THE LAST APPEAL.

In the large room where Cesarine was to achieve her crowning act of
treachery, she and her husband were closeted. On the latter's unruffled
brow not even her feline gaze could read what a perfect acquaintance he
possessed with all her past and her purposed moves.

"Your maid tells me that you wished to speak to me," he said.

"It is necessary, on the eve of a change in our mode of life, so extreme
as a home broken up in favor of a stay at a hotel."

"I am listening to you," he said curtly.

"If I were to say to you that I love you, what would be your answer?"
she said, changing the subject and her tone entirely.

"Nothing! I might wonder what new evil you intended to commit to my
prejudice. Pure curiosity for you can do nothing more with me."

She was convinced of that, and she thrilled with all the irritation of a
woman who has lost her power of fascination over even one man.

"Admitting that I cannot do you any harm," she said, "others may and,
perhaps a great deal. Would you believe that I love you at least if my
pledg