"Such a vigorous young girl! with the complexion of a Spaniard, and that black hair!--she consumptive!" "Yes, they say she committed some imprudence." "Ah, ah!" cried a Vilquin.

"I am told she came back bathed in perspiration after riding on horseback, and drank iced water; at least, that is what Dr.
Troussenard says." By the time Madame Dumay returned to Havre the catastrophe of the failure had taken place, and society paid no further attention to the absence of Bettina or the return of the cashier's wife.

At the beginning of 1827 the newspapers rang with the trial of Charles d'Estourny, who was found guilty of cheating at cards.

The young corsair escaped into foreign parts without taking thought of Mademoiselle Mignon, who was of little value to him since the failure of the bank.

Bettina heard of his infamous desertion and of her father's ruin almost at the same time.