e work of thieves, but originates in the
shameless licentiousness of a man unworthy of his name and the rank he
occupies. The chevalier de Cressy, forgetful of his being your guest,
and of respecting the honor of all beneath your roof, has dared to carry
on a base intrigue with my woman, in whose apartment you will find him
at this very minute. A conduct so profligate and insulting fills me with
an indignation which I think that you, sir, after what you have heard,
cannot but partake."

The marquis de l'Hopital, who did not see the thing in the same serious
light, sought to appease the virtuous indignation of his lady, and went
himself to release the chevalier from his place of concealment; leading
him thro' his own apartment to join the crowd of armed servants, who,
as may be supposed, were unable to detect the supposed invaders of their
repose.

On the following morning the chevalier as agreed upon, wrote a
penitential letter to madame, entreating her pardon for his improper
attentions to her servant, whom she affected to dismiss with every mark
of gravest displeasure. The weeping Abigail threw herself at the feet of
her mistress: and the compassionate marquis (before whom the scene was
enacted), touched with pity, implored his lady to receive the afflicted
and penitent Javotte once more into her service. This was at length
granted to his solicitations; and Javotte received a hundred louis as
the price of her silence, and found it sufficient compensation for the
bad opinion the marquis entertained of her virtue.

The second trick the marchioness played her husband was not less
amusing.

The chevalier de Cressy and herself could not meet so frequently as both
desired; and whilst suffering under the void occasioned by his absence,
chance threw in her way a young relative of her husband's, a youth of
about eighteen, as beautiful as Love, and as daring as that god. They
were then in the country during the fine days of summer, and both time
and place were favorable to the prosecution of their growing passion.
One day madame de l'Hopital and her cousin were sauntering about the
park heedless of the approaching dinner-hour, and equally deaf to the
sound of the dinner-bell, which rung its accustomed peal in vain for
them whose ears were occupied in listening to sweeter sounds. At length
the master of the house, alarmed at the protracted absence of his wife
and friend, went himself, attended by many guests assembled at his