The fiery republican, instructed by Josette, found strength to carry the old maid to her bedroom, where he laid her out on the bed.

Josette, armed with scissors, cut the corset, which was terribly tight.

Du Bousquier flung water on Mademoiselle Cormon's face and bosom, which, released from the corset, overflowed like the Loire in flood.

The poor woman opened her eyes, saw du Bousquier, and gave a cry of modesty at the sight of him.

Du Bousquier retired at once, leaving six women, at the head of whom was Madame Granson, radiant with joy, to take care of the invalid.
What had the Chevalier de Valois been about all this time?
Faithful to his system, he had covered the retreat.
"That poor Mademoiselle Cormon," he said to Monsieur de Troisville, gazing at the assembly, whose laughter was repressed by his cool aristocratic glances, "her blood is horribly out of order; she wouldn't be bled before going to Prebaudet (her estate),--and see the result!" "She came back this morning in the rain," said the Abbe de Sponde, "and she may have taken cold.