de Saint-Maclou bade us good-night.

Tired with my journey, and (to tell the truth) a little out of humor with my friend, I was not long in seeking my bed.

At the top of the stairs a group of three girls were gossiping; one of them handed me a candle and flung open the door of my room with a roguish smile on her broad good-tempered face.
"One of the greatest virtues of women," said I pausing on the threshold, "is fidelity." "We are devoted to Mme.

la Duchesse," said the girl.
"Another, hardly behind it, is discretion," I continued.
"Madame inculcates it on us daily," said she.

I took out a napoleon.
"Ladies," said I, placing the napoleon in the girl's hand, "I am obliged for your kind attentions.