my dear. I had rather not be loved at all than to be
loved by the first comer. Do you think, for instance, that it would be
pleasant to be loved by--by--"

She was thinking by whom she might possibly be loved, glancing across
the wide landscape. Her eyes, after traveling around the horizon,
fell on the two bright buttons which were shining on the back of the
coachman's livery, and she continued, laughing: "by my coachman?"

Madame Margot barely smiled, and said in a low tone of voice:

"I assure you that it is very amusing to be loved by a servant. It has
happened to me two or three times. They roll their eyes in such a funny
manner--it's enough to make you die laughing! Naturally, the more in
love they are, the more severe one must be with them, and then, some
day, for some reason, you dismiss them, because, if anyone should notice
it, you would appear so ridiculous."

Madame Simone was listening, staring straight ahead of her, then she
remarked:

"No, I'm afraid that my footman's heart would not satisfy me. Tell me
how you noticed that they loved you."

"I noticed it the same way that I do with other men--when they get
stupid."

"The others don't seem stupid to me, when they love me."

"They are idiots, my dear, unable to talk, to answer, to understand
anything."

"But how did you feel when you were loved by a servant? Were
you--moved--flattered?"

"Moved? no, flattered--yes a little. One is always flattered to be loved
by a man, no matter who he may be."

"Oh, Margot!"

"Yes, indeed, my dear! For instance, I will tell you of a peculiar
incident which happened to me. You will see how curious and complex our
emotions are, in such cases.

"About four years ago I happened to be without a maid. I had tried five
or six, one right after the other, and I was about ready to give up
in despair, when I saw an advertisement in a newspaper of a young
girl knowing how to cook, embroider, dress hair, who was looking for a
position and who could furnish the best of references. Besides all these
accomplishments, she could speak English.

"I wrote to the given address, and the next day the person in question
presented herself. She was tall, slender, pale, shy-looking. She
had beautiful black eyes and a charming complexion; she pleased me
immediately. I asked for her certificates; she gave me one in English,
for she came, as she said, from Lady Rymwell's, where she had been for
ten years.

"The certificate showed