us characters from whom they are elsewhere
separated by an impassable abyss. What exquisite pleasure it must be to
the dames of society to find themselves beside Jenny Fancy or Ninette
Simplon, or any other of those young ladies whom they habitually
call "creatures," but whom they are continually talking of, and whose
toilettes, make-up, and jargon, they assiduously copy!

However, Chupin indulged in none of these reflections. He was engaged in
noting Madame d'Argeles's evident anxiety and restlessness. She looked
eagerly on all sides, sometimes half leaning out of her carriage, and
immediately turning her head whenever she heard the gallop of a horseman
behind her. She was evidently looking or waiting for some one, but the
person did not make his appearance, and so, growing weary of waiting,
after driving three times round the lake, she made a sign to her
coachman, who at once drew out of line, and turned his horse into a
side-path. Chupin hastened after the victoria, keeping it in sight until
he was fortunate enough to meet an empty cab, which he at once hired.
Madame d'Argeles's coachman, who had received his orders, now drove down
the Champs Elysees, again crossed the Place de la Concorde, turned into
the boulevards, and stopped short at the corner of the Chaussee d'Antin,
where, having tied a thick veil over her face, Madame Lia abruptly
alighted and walked away.

This was done so quickly that Chupin barely had time to fling two francs
to his driver and rush after her. She had already turned round the
corner of the Rue du Helder, and was walking rapidly up the street.
It was a little after five o'clock, and dusk was setting in. Madame
d'Argeles had taken the side of the street allotted to the uneven
numbers. After she had passed the Hotel de Homburg, she slackened her
pace, and eagerly scrutinized one of the houses opposite--No. 48. Her
examination lasted but a moment, and seemed to be satisfactory. She then
turned, and rapidly retraced her steps as far as the boulevard, when,
crossing the street to the side of the even numbers, she walked up it
again very slowly, stopping before every shop-window.

Convinced that he had almost reached the goal, Chupin also crossed,
and followed closely at her heels. He soon saw her start and resume her
rapid gait. A young man was coming toward her so quickly indeed that she
had not time to avoid him, and a collision ensued, whereupon the young
man gave vent to an oath, and hurli