"I do not understand you." "You shall see. When I had learned all that I
wanted to know, I went to a ... how shall I put it ... to a man of
business ... you know ... one of those men who transact business of all
sorts ... agents of ... of ... of publicity and complicity ... one of
those men ... well, you understand what I mean." "Pretty nearly, I
think. And what did you say to him?" "I said to him, showing the
photograph of Clarisse (her name is Clarisse): 'Monsieur, I want a
lady's maid who resembles this photograph. I require one who is pretty,
elegant, neat and sharp. I will pay her whatever is necessary, and if it
costs me ten thousand francs so much the worse. I shall not require her
for more than three months.'"

"The man looked extremely astonished, and said: 'Do you require a maid
of an irreproachable character, Madame?' I blushed, and stammered. 'Yes,
of course, for honesty.' He continued: ... 'And ... then ... as regards
morals....' I did not venture to reply, so I only made a sign with my
head, which signified: _no_. Then suddenly, I comprehended that he had a
horrible suspicion and losing my presence of mind, I exclaimed: 'Oh,
Monsieur, ... it is for my husband, in order that I may surprise
him....'

"Then the man began to laugh, and from his looks I gathered that I had
regained his esteem. He even thought I was brave, and I would willingly
have made a bet that at that moment he was longing to shake hands with
me. However, he said to me: 'In a week, Madame, I shall have what you
require; I will answer for my success, and you shall not pay me until I
have succeeded. So this is a photograph of your husband's mistress?'
'Yes, Monsieur,' 'A handsome woman, and not too stout. And what scent?'

"I did not understand, and repeated: 'What scent?' He smiled: 'Yes,
Madame, the perfume is essential to seduce a man, for it unconsciously
brings to his mind certain reminiscences which dispose him to action;
the perfume creates an obscure confusion in his mind, and disturbs and
enervates him by recalling his pleasures to him. You must also try to
find out what your husband is in the habit of eating when he dines with
his lady, and you might give him the same dishes the day you catch him.
Oh! we have got him, Madame, we have got him.'

"I went away delighted, for here I had lighted on a very intelligent
man.

"Three days later, I saw a tall, dark girl arrive at my house; she was
very handsome and her looks were modes