y and integral part of
the affair. Come to the ball, and I promise you noise enough to cover
all investigations of your man; and certainly premeditation will never
be suspected at such a meeting."

"You are too good," replied Rastignac, pressing the peer's hand
affectionately. "Perhaps we had better say nothing about it to Madame de
l'Estorade; a mere hint given to our man would put him on his guard, and
I want to spring upon him suddenly, like a tiger on his prey."

"That's understood--complete surprise to everybody."

"Adieu, then," said Rastignac; "I shall make the king laugh to-morrow at
the notion of children plotting politics."

"Ah!" replied Monsieur de l'Estorade, philosophically, "but isn't that
how life itself is carried on?--great effects from little causes."

Rastignac had scarcely departed before Madame de l'Estorade returned
with Nais and Monsieur and Madame de Camps.

"My dear," said her husband, "you have just missed a charming visitor."

"Who was it?" asked the countess, indifferently.

"The minister of Public Works, who came to make you his excuses. He
noticed with regret the disagreeable impression made upon you by the
theories of that scamp de Ronquerolles."

"He has taken a good deal of trouble for a very small matter," said
Madame de l'Estorade, not sharing her husband's enthusiasm.

"But all the same," he replied, "it was very gracious of him to think
of your feelings." Then, in order to change the conversation, he asked
Madame de Camps about their visit.

"Oh!" she replied, "the place is enchanting; you have no idea of its
elegance and _comfort_."

"How about Gaston?" asked Monsieur de l'Estorade.

"He was, I won't say very calm," replied Madame de l'Estorade, "but
at any rate master of himself. His condition satisfied me all the more
because the day had begun by a serious annoyance to him."

"What was it?"

"Monsieur de Sallenauve could not come with him," replied Nais, taking
upon herself to reply.

She was one of those children brought up in a hot-house, who put
themselves forward much oftener than they ought to do.

"Nais," said Madame de l'Estorade, "go to Mary and tell her to do up
your hair."

The child understood perfectly well that she was sent away for speaking
improperly, and she made a face as she left the room.

"This morning," said Madame de l'Estorade as soon as Nais had shut the
door, "Monsieur Gaston and Monsieur de Sallenauve were to start together
for Vi