IN THE HORSELBERG The good landlady of the Hotel de France was not a little surprised next morning when Wilhelm came down to the kitchen and informed her that he must leave that forenoon.

And when very soon afterward Anne appeared, and announced in her stiffest, most impenetrable manner that Madame la Comtesse desired two places, for herself and her maid, in the hotel omnibus which went to the station at Eu, the landlady remarked, "Indeed!" and there was a liberal interchange of meaning glances in the kitchen.
At no price would Wilhelm remain at Ault.

The countess, who liked the place well enough, begged, entreated, and pouted in vain.

He was not to be persuaded.

He protested that he knew himself too well to think that he would be capable of keeping up the appearance of reserve toward her which decency demanded.