entional sham from
the greatest men. A noble love signifies nothing to them if rough and
unpolished; it needs the cutting and setting of a jeweller to give it
value in their eyes.

In January, 1842, the Comtesse Laginska, with her charm of gentle
melancholy, inspired a violent passion in the Comte de La Palferine, one
of the most daring and presumptuous lions of the day. La Palferine was
well aware that the conquest of a woman so guarded by reserve as the
Comtesse Laginska was difficult, but he thought he could inveigle this
charming creature into committing herself if he took her unawares, by
the assistance of a certain friend of her own, a woman already jealous
of her.

Quite incapable, in spite of her intelligence, of suspecting such
treachery, the Comtesse Laginska committed the imprudence of going with
her so-called friend to a masked ball at the Opera. About three in the
morning, led away by the excitement of the scene, Clementine, on whom La
Palferine had expended his seductions, consented to accept a supper,
and was about to enter the carriage of her faithless friend. At this
critical moment her arm was grasped by a powerful hand, and she was
taken, in spite of her struggles, to her own carriage, the door of which
stood open, though she did not know it was there.

"He has never left Paris!" she exclaimed to herself as she recognized
Thaddeus, who disappeared when the carriage drove away.

Did any woman ever have a like romance in her life? Clementine is
constantly hoping she may again see Paz.

ADDENDUM

The following personages appear in other stories of the Human Comedy.

Bianchon, Horace
Father Goriot
The Atheist's Mass
Cesar Birotteau
The Commission in Lunacy
Lost Illusions
A Distinguished Provincial at Paris
A Bachelor's Establishment
The Secrets of a Princess
The Government Clerks
Pierrette
A Study of Woman
Scenes from a Courtesan's Life
Honorine
The Seamy Side of History
The Magic Skin
A Second Home
A Prince of Bohemia
Letters of Two Brides
The Muse of the Department
The Middle Classes
Cousin Betty
The Country Parson
In addition, M. Bianchon narrated the following:
Another Study of Woman
La Grande Breteche

Laginski, Comte Adam Mitgislas
Another Study of Woman
Cousin Betty