ched the unfortunate man. And to think we once knew him such a true
believer, such a noblehearted gentleman!"

"It appears he is ruining himself," continued Mme Chantereau. "My
husband has had a bill of his in his hands. At present he's living in
that house in the Avenue de Villiers; all Paris is talking about it.
Good heavens! I don't make excuses for Sabine, but you must admit that
he gives her infinite cause of complaint, and, dear me, if she throws
money out of the window, too--"

"She does not only throw money," interrupted the other. "In fact,
between them, there's no knowing where they'll stop; they'll end in the
mire, my dear."

But just then a soft voice interrupted them. It was M. Venot, and he had
come and seated himself behind them, as though anxious to disappear from
view. Bending forward, he murmured:

"Why despair? God manifests Himself when all seems lost."

He was assisting peacefully at the downfall of the house which he
erewhile governed. Since his stay at Les Fondettes he had been allowing
the madness to increase, for he was very clearly aware of his own
powerlessness. He had, indeed, accepted the whole position--the count's
wild passion for Nana, Fauchery's presence, even Estelle's marriage with
Daguenet. What did these things matter? He even became more supple and
mysterious, for he nursed a hope of being able to gain the same mastery
over the young as over the disunited couple, and he knew that great
disorders lead to great conversions. Providence would have its
opportunity.

"Our friend," he continued in a low voice, "is always animated by the
best religious sentiments. He has given me the sweetest proofs of this."

"Well," said Mme du Joncquoy, "he ought first to have made it up with
his wife."

"Doubtless. At this moment I have hopes that the reconciliation will be
shortly effected."

Whereupon the two old ladies questioned him.

But he grew very humble again. "Heaven," he said, "must be left to act."
His whole desire in bringing the count and the countess together again
was to avoid a public scandal, for religion tolerated many faults when
the proprieties were respected.

"In fact," resumed Mme du Joncquoy, "you ought to have prevented this
union with an adventurer."

The little old gentleman assumed an expression of profound astonishment.
"You deceive yourself. Monsieur Daguenet is a young man of the greatest
merit. I am acquainted with his thoughts; he is anxious to live down