“What! nineteen years madame has left her husband?” Madame de Grangeville made a gesture of irritation, and the maid made haste to add: “No, no, that is not possible; madame made a mistake; doubtless madame meant to say nine years.” “Yes, you are right, I did make a mistake; it is much less. However, what does it matter? It is of no use to think about that any more.” “I beg pardon, madame,--don’t be offended at what I am going to say; it is an idea that came into my head, and I submit it to you.” “Go on; you know very well that I never am angry.” “Well, since madame’s former husband is so rich, and madame finds herself annoyed, besieged by those demons of creditors, as we have been for some time--suppose madame should send to monsieur le comte and ask him to let her have a few thousand-franc notes--would he refuse them?” “O Lizida! that is impossible!” “Why so? Just let madame tell me her husband’s name and address, and I will willingly undertake the errand.” “It is impossible, Lizida, because I don’t choose to do it, because I shall never apply to the count. No, I would prefer to be deprived of everything, rather than let him know my position. Besides, he would reply: ‘You had your property, madame. You should have kept it.’” “Kept it! kept it! That is very easy to say; but madame has such a kind heart, she is so noble, so generous--madame has too noble a mind to know how to calculate. Pshaw! it is only the petty bourgeois who do that!” “But they are wise, perhaps!” “To think that madame is not a widow! I cannot get over it. So that is the reason that madame does not marry. See how wicked it is to forbid divorce!” “If only those infernal Mouzaias would go back to the price I paid for them! I absolutely must have some money; I am going to Nogent in four days; they are going to have theatricals, there’ll be a great many people there, and I must have another bonnet; mine is no longer fresh enough.” “It is true that it is beginning to be unworthy of madame; and madame is always so well dressed that everybody always admires her costume!” “Yes, I used to be one of the women who were famous for their taste in dress; I set the fashion.” “Madame might set the fashion again if she would.” “Say rather if I could, my dear Lizida! But listen--someone rang; if it is Monsieur de Merval, you will let him come in; he is the person whom I met at the Glumeaus’.” “But if it’s an _Englishman_----” “A creditor! Mon Dieu! you know well enough what you must say to them, for you are used to receiving those fellows.” “Oh yes, madame, I will get around him.” XVII AN OLD FRIEND The lady’s maid went to the door. Madame de Grangeville took her place anew before her dressing-table, and arranged her cap and her hair. To try to attract, to appear young, was in her a desire so identified with her nature, that she would go to look at herself in her mirror before allowing a chimney sweep to enter her room.