Yes, regardless of the conventionalities among which she had been reared, dared to cross that social abyss which separates the Avenue de Matignon from the Rue de la Tour d'Auvergne.

Cold reason finds no excuse for such a step, but the heart can easily solve this seeming riddle.

Sabine and Andre had been lovers for more than two years.

Their first acquaintance had commenced at the Chateau de Mussidan.

At the end of the summer of 1865, Andre, whose constant application to work had told upon his health, determined to take a change, when his master, Jean Lanier, called him, and said,-- "If you wish for a change, and at the same time to earn three or four hundred francs, now is your time.