Society life is detestable in this, that it creates fictitious characters and passions, unexpected situations, subtle shades, which complicate strangely the practice of duty, and obscure the straight path which ought to be always simple and easy to discover.

And now you wish to leave, I suppose ?" "Certainly, madam." "Very well; but you had better stay two or three days longer.

You will thus remove from your departure the semblance of flight which, after what may have been observed, might prove somewhat ridiculous and perhaps damaging.

It is a sacrifice I ask of you.

To-day, we are all to dine at Madame de Breuilly's; I'll undertake to excuse you.