MADELENE To give himself, journeyman cooper, the feeling of ease and equality, Arthur dressed, with long-discontinued attention to detail, from his extensive wardrobe which the eighteen months since its last accessions had not impaired or antiquated.

And, in the twilight of an early September evening, he went forth to settle the matter that had become the most momentous.
There is in dress a something independent of material and cut and even of the individuality of the wearer; there is a spirit of caste.

If the lady dons her maid's dress, some subtle essence of the menial permeates her, even to her blood, her mind, and heart.

The maid, in madame's dress, putting on "airs," is merely giving an outlet to that which has entered into her from her clothes.

Thus, Arthur assumed again with his "_grande toilette_" the feeling of the caste from which he had been ejected.
Madelene, come herself to open the door for him, was in a summer dress of no pretentions to style other than that which her figure, with its large, free, splendid lines, gave whatever she happened to wear.