re her husband? It is possible to be deceived. If I had not dined
yesterday with the veritable--I should take you--"

"By the way, has he been good?"

"Oh, I was received like a dog!"

"I understand. Let us go in, let us look for Madame de T-----. She must
be up by this time."

"But should we not out of decency begin with the husband?" I said to
him.

"You are right. Let us go to your room, I wish to put on a little
powder. But tell me, did he really take you for her lover?"

"You may judge by the way he receives me; but let us go at once to his
apartment."

I wished to avoid having to lead him to an apartment whose whereabouts
I did not know; but by chance we found it. The door was open and there I
saw my _valet de chambre_ asleep on an armchair. A candle was going out
on a table beside him. He drowsily offered a night robe to the marquis.
I was on pins and needles; but the marquis was in a mood to be easily
deceived, took the man for a mere sleepy-head, and made a joke of the
matter. We passed on to the apartment of Monsieur de T-----. There was
no misunderstanding the reception which he accorded me, and the welcome,
the compliments which he addressed to the marquis, whom he almost forced
to stay. He wished to take him to madame in order that she might insist
on his staying. As for me, I received no such invitation. I was reminded
that my health was delicate, the country was damp, fever was in the air,
and I seemed so depressed that the chateau would prove too gloomy for
me. The marquis offered me his chaise and I accepted it. The husband
seemed delighted and we were all satisfied. But I could not refuse
myself the pleasure of seeing Madame de T----- once more. My impatience
was wonderful. My friend conceived no suspicions from the late sleep of
his mistress.

"Isn't this fine?" he said to me as we followed Monsieur de T-----. "He
couldn't have spoken more kindly if she had dictated his words. He is a
fine fellow. I am not in the least annoyed by this reconciliation; they
will make a good home together, and you will agree with me, that he
could not have chosen a wife better able to do the honors."

"Certainly," I replied.

"However pleasant the adventure has been," he went on with an air of
mystery, "you must be off! I will let Madame de T----- understand that
her secret will be well kept."

"On that point, my friend, she perhaps counts more on me than on you;
for you see her sleep is not disturbed by th