ucifix, and the same evening the Baron de
Saint-Hospital.

"For three months I sent her my best clients, from a business point of
view. But I heard nothing more from her.

"One day I received a visit from a foreigner who spoke very little
French. I decided to introduce him personally to the baroness, in order
to see how she was getting along.

"A footman in black livery received us and ushered us into a quiet
little parlor, furnished with taste, where we waited for several
minutes. She appeared, charming as usual, extended her hand to me and
invited us to be seated; and when I had explained the reason of my
visit, she rang.

"The footman appeared.

"'See if Mlle. Isabelle can let us go into her oratory.' The young girl
herself brought the answer. She was about fifteen years of age, modest
and good to look upon in the sweet freshness of her youth. She wished to
conduct us herself to her chapel.

"It was a kind of religious boudoir where a silver lamp was burning
before the Crucifix, my Crucifix, on a background of black velvet. The
setting was charming and very clever. The child crossed herself and then
said:

"'Look, gentlemen. Isn't it beautiful?'

"I took the object, examined it and declared it to be remarkable. The
foreigner also examined it, but he seemed much more interested in the
two women than in the crucifix.

"A delicate odor of incense, flowers and perfume pervaded the whole
house. One felt at home there. This really was a comfortable home, where
one would have liked to linger.

"When we had returned to the parlor I delicately broached the subject of
the price. Mme. Samoris, lowering her eyes, asked fifty thousand francs.

"Then she added: 'If you wish to see it again, monsieur, I very seldom
go out before three o'clock; and I can be found at home every day.'

"In the street the stranger asked me for some details about the
baroness, whom he had found charming. But I did not hear anything more
from either of them.

"Three months passed by.

"One morning, hardly two weeks ago, she came here at about lunch time,
and, placing a roll of bills in my hand, said: 'My dear, you are an
angel! Here are fifty thousand francs; I am buying your crucifix, and I
am paying twenty thousand francs more for it than the price agreed upon,
on condition that you always--always send your clients to me--for it is
sill for sale.'"

MOTHER AND SON

A party of men were chatting in the smoking room after dinne