nd the lake; and she was continuing
her circular drive.

"Positively," approved the editor of "The Financial Pilot," "she is
somewhat better than the rest of those ladies we have just seen
going by."

M. Costeclar was on the point of pulling out what little hair he
had left.

"And I don't know her!" he went on. "A lovely woman rides in the
Bois, and I don't know who she is! That is ridiculous and
prodigious! Who can post us?"

A little ways off stood a group of gentlemen, who had also just left
their carriages, and were looking on this interminable procession of
equipages and this amazing display of toilets.

"They are friends of mine," said M. Costeclar: "let us join them."

They did so; and, after the usual greetings,

"Who is that?" inquired M. Costeclar,--"that dark person, whose
carriage follows Mme. de Thaller's?"

An old young man, with scanty hair, dyed beard, and a most impudent
smile, answered him,

"That's just what we are trying to find out. None of us have ever
seen her."

"I must and shall find out," interrupted M. Costeclar. "I have a
very intelligent servant."

Already he was starting in the direction of the spot where his
carriage was waiting for him. The old beau stopped him.

"Don't bother yourself, my dear friend," he said. "I have also a
servant who is no fool; and he has had orders for over fifteen
minutes."

The others burst out laughing.

"Distanced, Costeclar!" exclaimed M. Saint Pavin, who,
notwithstanding his slovenly dress and cynic manners, seemed
perfectly well received.

No one was now paying any attention to Maxence; and he slipped off
without the slightest care as to what M. Costeclar might think.
Reaching the spot where his cab awaited him,

"Which way, boss?" inquired the driver. Maxence hesitated. What
better had he to do than to go home? And yet . . .

"We'll wait for that same carriage," he answered; "and we'll follow
it on the return."

But he learned nothing further. Mlle. Lucienne drove straight to
the Boulevard du Temple, and, as before, immediately resumed her
eternal black dress; and Maxence saw her go to the little restaurant
for her modest dinner.

But he saw something else too.

Almost on the heels of the girl, a servant in livery entered the hotel
corridor, and only went off after remaining a full quarter of an hour
in busy conference with Mme. Fortin.

"It's all over," thought the poor fellow. "Lucienne will not be
much longer m