Coffee was too dear to be a household luxury, so every day she handed him a few halfpence to have his cup, and to watch the chess-players at the Cafe de la Regence.

When after a year or two she went to make her peace with her father-in-law at Langres, she wound her way round the old man's heart by her affectionate caresses, her respect, her ready industry in the household, her piety, her simplicity.

It is, however, unfortunately possible for even the best women to manifest their goodness, their prudence, their devotion, in forms that exasperate.

Perhaps it was so here.

Diderot at fifty was an orderly and steadfast person, but at thirty the blood of vagabondage was still hot within him.