It assembles at my house, and you shall judge of it this evening, for some of my faithful friends have no doubt heard of my return and your arrival.

Among them is the Chevalier de Valois, a seigneur of the old court, a man of infinite wit and taste; then there is Monsieur le Marquis d'Esgrignon and Mademoiselle Armande, his sister" (she bit her tongue with vexation),--"a woman remarkable in her way," she added.

"She resolved to remain unmarried in order to leave all her fortune to her brother and nephew." "Ah!" exclaimed the viscount.

"Yes, the d'Esgrignons,--I remember them." "Alencon is very gay," continued the old maid, now fairly launched.
"There's much amusement: the receiver-general gives balls; the prefect is an amiable man; and Monseigneur the bishop sometimes honors us with a visit--" "Well, then," said the viscount, smiling, "I have done wisely to come back, like the hare, to die in my form." "Yes," she said.

"I, too, attach myself or I die." The viscount smiled.
"Ah!" thought the old maid, "all is well; he understands me." The conversation continued on generalities.