"You have done me the honor to write to me that you love me. I suppose I ought to show your note to my husband, who is an expert swordsman; but I prefer to return to you your autograph letter for the price of these fifteen tickets. Go--and sin again, should your heart prompt you!" "But that is a species of blackmail, Madame!" cried Madame Desvanneaux. "The end justifies the means," replied the Vicomtesse gayly. "Besides, I am accountable only to the Duc de Montgeron. What is his opinion?" "I call it a very clever stroke," said the Duke. "You hear, Madame! Only, of course, not every lady has a collection of similar little notes!" said the Vicomtesse de Nointel. The entrance of M. Durand, treasurer of the society, interrupted the progress of this correspondence. "Do not trouble yourselves so much, Mesdames," said the notary. "The practical solution of the matter I am about to lay before you, if Madame the president will permit me to speak." "I should think so!" said the Duchess. "Speak, by all means!" "A charitable person has offered to assume all the expenses of the affair," said the notary, "on condition that carte blanche is granted to her in the matter of the site. In case her offer is accepted, she will make over to the society, within three months, the title to the real estate, in regular order." "Do you guarantee the solvency of this person?" demanded M. Desvanneaux, who saw the project of the kermess falling to the ground. "It is one of my rich clients; but I have orders not to reveal her name unless her offer is accepted." The unanimity with which all hands were raised did not even give time to put the question. "Her name?" demanded the Duchess. "Here it is," replied the notary, handing her a visiting card. "'Valentine de Vermont,'" she read aloud. "Zibeline?" cried Madame de Nointel. "Bravo! I offer her the assurance of my esteem!" "And I also," added Madame de Lisieux. "I can not offer mine," said Madame Desvanneaux, dryly. "A young woman who is received nowhere!" "So generous an act should open all doors to her, beginning with mine," said the Duchesse de Montgeron. "I beg that you will tell her so from me, Monsieur Durand." "At once, Madame. She is waiting below in her carriage." "Why did you not say so before? I must beg her myself to join us here," said the master of the house, leaving the room in haste. "See how any one can purchase admission to our world in these days!" whispered Madame Desvanneaux in her daughter's ear. "Heavens! yes, dear mother! The only question is whether one is able to pay the price." We must render justice to the two titled patronesses by saying that the immediate admission of Mademoiselle de Vermont to their circle seemed to them the least they could do, and that they greeted her appearance, as she entered on the arm of the Duke, with a sympathetic murmur which put the final stroke to the exasperation of the two malicious dames.