“No, I went to the Gymnase. They gave a first representation.” “I can’t endure vaudevilles. I am like Louis XIV. about Teniers,” said Lady Dudley. “For my part,” said Madame d’Espard, “I think actors have greatly improved. Vaudevilles in the present day are really charming comedies, full of wit, requiring great talent; they amuse me very much.” “The actors are excellent, too,” said Marie. “Those at the Gymnase played very well to-night; the piece pleased them; the dialogue was witty and keen.” “Like those of Beaumarchais,” said Lady Dudley. “Monsieur Nathan is not Moliere as yet, but--” said Madame d’Espard, looking at the countess. “He makes vaudevilles,” said Madame Charles de Vandenesse. “And unmakes ministries,” added Madame de Manerville. The countess was silent; she wanted to answer with a sharp repartee; her heart was bounding with anger, but she could find nothing better to say than,-- “He will make them, perhaps.” All the women looked at each other with mysterious significance. When Marie de Vandenesse departed Moina de Saint-Heren exclaimed:-- “She adores him.” “And she makes no secret of it,” said Madame d’Espard. CHAPTER VII. SUICIDE In the month of May Vandenesse took his wife, as usual, to their country-seat, where she was consoled by the passionate letters she received from Raoul, to whom she wrote every day. Marie’s absence might have saved Raoul from the gulf into which he was falling, if Florine had been near him; but, unfortunately, he was alone in the midst of friends who had become his enemies from the moment that he showed his intention of ruling them. His staff of writers hated him “pro tem.,” ready to hold out a hand to him and console him in case of a fall, ready to adore him in case of success. So goes the world of literature. No one is really liked but an inferior. Every man’s hand is against him who is likely to rise. This wide-spread envy doubles the chances of common minds who excite neither envy nor suspicion, who make their way like moles, and, fools though they be, find themselves gazetted in the “Moniteur,” for three or four places, while men of talent are still struggling at the door to keep each other out.