e again, as in the comedy of hatred you mean to play for
Monsieur de l'Estorade's benefit, you need moderation. If you do not
manage it by careful transitions, you may miss your end. Never allow
the influence of circumstances to appear when it is desirable than an
impulse or an action should seem spontaneous."

"But," said Madame de l'Estorade, excitedly, "do you think that my
hatred, as you call it, will be acted? I do hate him, that man; he is
our evil genius!"

"Come, come, my dear, be calm! I don't know you--you, you have always
been Reason incarnate."

At this moment Lucas entered the room and asked his mistress if she
would receive _a_ Monsieur Jacques Bricheteau. Madame de l'Estorade
looked at her friend, as if to consult her.

"He is that organist who was so useful to Monsieur de Sallenauve during
the election. I don't know what he can want of me."

"Never mind," said Madame de Camps, "receive him. Before beginning
hostilities it is always well to know what is going on in the enemy's
camp."

"Show him in," said the countess.

Jacques Bricheteau entered. Expecting to be received in a friendly
country, he had not taken any particular pains with his dress. An old
maroon frock-coat to the cut of which it would have been difficult to
assign a date, a plaid waistcoat buttoned to the throat, surmounted by a
black cravat worn without a collar and twisted round the neck, yellowish
trousers, gray stockings, and laced shoes,--such was the more than
negligent costume in which the organist allowed himself to appear in a
countess's salon.

Requested briefly to sit down, he said,--

"Madame, I hope I am not indiscreet in thus presenting myself without
having the honor of being known to you, but Monsieur Marie-Gaston told
me of your desire that I should give music-lessons to your daughter. At
first I replied that it was impossible, for all my time was occupied;
but the prefect of police has just afforded me some leisure by
dismissing me from a place I filled in his department; therefore I am
now happy to place myself at your disposal."

"Your dismissal, monsieur, was caused by your activity in Monsieur de
Sallenauve's election, was it not?" asked Madame de Camps.

"As no reason was assigned for it, I think your conjecture is probably
correct; especially as in twenty years I have had no trouble whatever
with my chiefs."

"It can't be denied," said Madame de l'Estorade, sharply, "that you have
opposed the views of