Half a dozen of the opposite sex have been talked of in connection with her, while in reality she is a true and faithful wife, for, in spite of all her frivolity, she adores her husband, and is in great awe of him.

Such was the character of the lady into whose apartment M.de Breulh was introduced.

Madame de Bois Arden was engaged in admiring a very pretty fancy costume of the reign of Louis XV., one of Van Klopen's masterpieces, when M.de Breulh was announced, which she was going to wear, on her return from the opera, at a masquerade ball at the Austrian Ambassador's.

Madame de Bois Arden greeted her visitor with effusion, for they had been acquaintances from childhood, and always addressed each other by their Christian names.
"What, you here at this hour, Gontran!" said the lady.

"Is it a vision, or only a miracle ?" But the smile died away upon her lips, as she caught a glimpse of her visitor's pale and harassed face.