ty!' See,
then, I have changed these accessories of crime, so that they become
spies," added the councillor, pointing out to me a divan covered with
tea-colored cashmere, the cushions of which were slightly pressed.
"Notice that impression,--I learn from it that my wife has had a
headache, and has been reclining there."

We stepped toward the divan, and saw the word FOOL lightly traced upon
the fatal cushion, by four

Things that I know not, plucked by lover's hand
From Cypris' orchard, where the fairy band
Are dancing, once by nobles thought to be
Worthy an order of new chivalry,
A brotherhood, wherein, with script of gold,
More mortal men than gods should be enrolled.

"Nobody in my house has black hair!" said the husband, growing pale.

I hurried away, for I was seized with an irresistible fit of laughter,
which I could not easily overcome.

"That man has met his judgment day!" I said to myself; "all the barriers
by which he has surrounded her have only been instrumental in adding to
the intensity of her pleasures!"

This idea saddened me. The adventure destroyed from summit to foundation
three of my most important Meditations, and the catholic infallibility
of my book was assailed in its most essential point. I would gladly have
paid to establish the fidelity of the Viscountess V----- a sum as great
as very many people would have offered to secure her surrender. But
alas! my money will now be kept by me.

Three days afterwards I met the councillor in the foyer of the Italiens.
As soon as he saw me he rushed up. Impelled by a sort of modesty I tried
to avoid him, but grasping my arm: "Ah! I have just passed three cruel
days," he whispered in my ear. "Fortunately my wife is as innocent as
perhaps a new-born babe--"

"You have already told me that the viscountess was extremely ingenious,"
I said, with unfeeling gaiety.

"Oh!" he said, "I gladly take a joke this evening; for this morning I
had irrefragable proofs of my wife's fidelity. I had risen very early
to finish a piece of work for which I had been rushed, and in looking
absently in my garden, I suddenly saw the _valet de chambre_ of a
general, whose house is next to mine, climbing over the wall. My wife's
maid, poking her head from the vestibule, was stroking my dog and
covering the retreat of the gallant. I took my opera glass and examined
the intruder--his hair was jet black!--Ah! never have I seen a Christian
face that gave me more