After a while, however, he took it up and put it in his pocket." "It is all perfectly clear," said Andre in jubilant tones; "M.

de Croisenois had need of your aid, he saw that he could not easily obtain it, and so sought to bind you by the means of a loan made to you at a time of great need." "You are right," said De Breulh.
The Viscountess' giddy mode of action had brought her into many scrapes, but never into so terrible a one as this.
"Great heavens!" cried she, "what do you think that M.de Croisenois will do with this receipt ?" "He will do nothing," answered M.de Breulh, "if you do everything to advance his suit; but pause for an instant, and he will show the hand of steel which has up to now been covered by the velvet glove." "I am not alarmed at a new slander ?" returned the Viscountess.
"And why not ?" answered De Breulh.

"You know very well that in these days of lavish expenditure and unbridled luxury there are many women in society who are so basely vile that they ruin their lovers with as little compunction as their frailer sisters.

To-morrow even De Croisenois may say at the club, 'On my word that little Bois Arden costs me a tremendous lot,' and hands about this receipt for twenty thousand francs.

What do you imagine that people will think then ?" "The world knows me too well to think so ill of me." "No, no, Clotilde, there is no charity in society; they will simply say that you are his mistress, and finding that the allowance from your husband is not enough for your needs, you are ruining your lover.