Imagine! I received a visit to-day from a great lady who lives in this house--in the suite of apartments next to mine." "What is her name ?" "Mademoiselle de Guerchi." "And what did she want with you ?" "She called in order to ask me to buy, for four hundred livres, some of her jewels which are well worth six hundred, for I understand such things; or should I prefer it to lend her that sum and keep the jewels as security?
It appears that mademoiselle is in great straits.

De Guerchi--do you know the name ?" "I think I have heard it." "They say she has had a stormy past, and has been greatly talked of; but then half of what one hears is lies.

Since she came to live here she has been very quiet.

No visitors except one--a nobleman, a duke--wait a moment! What's his name?
The Duc-Duc de Vitry; and for over three weeks even he hasn't been near her.

I imagine from this absence that they have fallen out, and that she is beginning to feel the want of money." "You seem to be intimately acquainted with this young woman's affairs." "Indeed I am, and yet I never spoke to her till this morning." "How did you get your information, then ?" "By chance.