And now who are the ladies ?" "Oh! Monsieur, they are quite respectable ladies; Madame de Tecle, and her daughter, Mademoiselle Marie." "So?
And the husband of Madame, Monsieur de Tecle, never rides out with them ?" "Heavens! no, Monsieur.

He never rides with them." And the old steward smiled a dry smile.

"He has been among the dead men for a long time, as Monsieur le Comte well knows." "Granting that I know it, Monsieur Leonard, I wish it understood these ladies are not to be interfered with.

You comprehend ?" Leonard seemed pleased that he was not to be the bearer of any disagreeable message; and Camors, suddenly conceiving that his stay at Reuilly might be prolonged for some time, reentered the chateau and examined the different rooms, arranging with the steward the best plan of making the house habitable.

The little town of I------, but two leagues distant, afforded all the means, and M.Leonard proposed going there at once to confer with the architect..