lse, upon
Teyssedre for instance, till the next morning. She would at least get a
quiet night.

'Ah, here is Madame! Something has happened/ cried Corentine, as she ran
to the door in a fluster, excitement making more conspicuous than usual
the marks of her smallpox. Madame Astier made straight for her own room;
but the door of the study opened, and a peremptory 'Adelaide!' compelled
her to go in. The rays of the lamp-globe showed her that the face of her
husband had a strange expression. He took her by the two hands and drew
her into the light. Then in a quivering voice he said, 'Loi-sillon is
dead,' and he kissed her on both cheeks.

Not found out! No, not yet. He had not even gone up to his papers; but
had been pacing his study for two hours, eager to see her and tell her
this great news, these three words which meant a change in their whole
life, 'Loisillon is dead!'

CHAPTER VII.

Mlle. Germaine de Freydet,

Clos Jallanges.

My DEAREST SISTER,--Your letters distress me much. I know you are lonely
and ill, and feel my absence; but what am I to do? Remember my master's
advice to show myself and be seen. It is not, as you may suppose, at
Clos Jallanges, in my tweed suit and leggings, that I could get on with
my candidature. I cannot but see that the time is near. Loisillon
is sinking visibly, dying by inches; and I am using the time to make
friendships among the Academicians, which may mean votes hereafter.
Astier has already introduced me to several of them. I often go to
fetch him after the meetings. It is charming to see them come out of the
Institute, almost all laden with years as with honours, and walk away
arm-in-arm in groups of three or four, bright and happy, talking loud
and filling the pavement, their eyes still wet after the hearty laughs
they have had within. 'Paille-ron is very smart,' says one; 'But Danjou
gave it him back,' says another. As for me, I fasten on to the arm of
Astier-Rehu and, ranked with the deities, seem almost a deity myself.
One by one at this or that bridge the groups break up. 'See you next
Thursday,' is the last word. And I go back to the Rue de Beaune with my
master, who gives me encouragement and advice, and in the confidence of
success says, with his frank laugh, 'Look at me, Freydet; I am twenty
years younger after a meeting!'

I really believe the dome does keep them fresh. Where is there
another old man as lusty as Jean Re