Learning that the house in the rue du Cygne exactly suited the viscount, she begged her future husband to do her the kindness to tell him that her uncle knew it was for sale.

She dared not confide that lie to the abbe, fearing his absent-mindedness.

The lie, however, prospered better than if it had been a virtuous action.

In the course of that evening all Alencon heard the news.

For the last four days the town had had as much to think of as during the fatal days of 1814 and 1815.