face, somewhat
flat, dull, and common, her light-brown hair in stiff, neat bands, her
very complexion spoke of a sensible woman, devoid of charm, but also
devoid of weakness.

"The Baroness would willingly go to join her husband in his disgrace,
to comfort him and hide him in her heart from every eye," Celestine went
on. "Why, she has a room made ready upstairs for Monsieur Hulot, as if
she expected to find him and bring him home from one day to the next."

"Oh yes, my mother is sublime!" replied Hortense. "She has been so every
minute of every day for six-and-twenty years; but I am not like her, it
is not my nature.--How can I help it? I am angry with myself sometimes;
but you do not know, Celestine, what it would be to make terms with
infamy."

"There is my father!" said Celestine placidly. "He has certainly started
on the road that ruined yours. He is ten years younger than the Baron,
to be sure, and was only a tradesman; but how can it end? This Madame
Marneffe has made a slave of my father; he is her dog; she is mistress
of his fortune and his opinions, and nothing can open his eyes. I
tremble when I remember that their banns of marriage are already
published!--My husband means to make a last attempt; he thinks it a duty
to try to avenge society and the family, and bring that woman to account
for all her crimes. Alas! my dear Hortense, such lofty souls as Victorin
and hearts like ours come too late to a comprehension of the world and
its ways!--This is a secret, dear, and I have told you because you are
interested in it, but never by a word or a look betray it to Lisbeth, or
your mother, or anybody, for--"

"Here is Lisbeth!" said Hortense. "Well, cousin, and how is the Inferno
of the Rue Barbet going on?"

"Badly for you, my children.--Your husband, my dear Hortense, is more
crazy about that woman than ever, and she, I must own, is madly in love
with him.--Your father, dear Celestine, is gloriously blind. That, to
be sure, is nothing; I have had occasion to see it once a fortnight;
really, I am lucky never to have had anything to do with men, they are
besotted creatures.--Five days hence you, dear child, and Victorin will
have lost your father's fortune."

"Then the banns are cried?" said Celestine.

"Yes," said Lisbeth, "and I have just been arguing your case. I pointed
out to that monster, who is going the way of the other, that if he
would only get you out of the difficulties you are in by paying off th