The banker always did his business on foot, for the sake of his health, as he said; but Flavia had a sweet little Victoria, drawn by two thoroughbred horses, to drive in the Bois de Boulogne, under the protection of an old woman, half companion and half servant, who was driven half mad by her charge's caprices.

As yet her father has never denied her anything.

He worked harder than all his clerks put together, for, after having spent the morning in his counting house over his papers, he received all business clients.
On the day after Flavia and Paul Violaine had met at Van Klopen's, M.
Martin Rigal was, at about half-past five, closeted with one of his female clients.

She was young, very pretty, and dressed with simple elegance, but the expression of her face was profoundly melancholy.
Her eyes were overflowing with tears, which she made vain efforts to restrain.
"If you refuse to renew our bill, sir, we are ruined," said she.

"I could meet it in January.