If the girl had the smallpox, she would lose her beauty." Cynical and hardened as the doctor was, he drew back in horror at this proposal.

"Under certain circumstances," remarked he, "science might aid us; but Rose, even without her beauty, would be just as dangerous as she is now.

It is _her_ affection for Paul that we have to check, and not _his_ for her; and the uglier a woman is, the more she clings to her lover." "All this is worthy of consideration," returned Mascarin; "meanwhile we must take steps to guard ourselves from the impending danger.

Have you finished that report on Gandelu, Beaumarchef?
What is his position ?" "Head over ears in debt, sir, but not harassed by his creditors because of his future prospects." "Surely among these creditors there are some that we could influence ?" said Mascarin.

"Find this out, and report to me this evening; and farewell for the present." When again alone, the two confederates remained silent for some time.
The decisive moment had arrived.