lle Clarence with several opportunities of appearing to great
advantage and in particular at a garden party which, although given by
a Minister, was regarded as really fashionable, and gained its first
success in society circles for the Republic.

At that party Eveline had been much noticed and had attracted the
special attention of a young diplomat called Roger Lambilly who,
imagining that she belonged to a rather fast set, invited her to his
bachelor's flat. She thought him handsome and believed him rich, and she
accepted. A little moved, almost disquieted, she very nearly became the
victim of her daring, and only avoided defeat by an offensive measure
audaciously carried out. This was the most foolish escapade in her
unmarried life.

Being now on friendly terms with Ministers and with the President,
Eveline continued to wear her aristocratic and pious affectations,
and these won for her the sympathy of the chief personages in the
anti-clerical and democratic Republic. M. Hippolyte Ceres, seeing that
she was succeeding and doing him credit, liked her still more. He even
went so far as to fall madly in love with her.

Henceforth, in spite of everything, she began to observe him with
interest, being curious to see if his passion would increase. He
appeared to her without elegance or grace, and not well bred, but
active, clear-sighted, full of resource, and not too great a bore. She
still made fun of him, but he had now won her interest.

One day she wished to test him. It was during the elections, when
members of Parliament were, as the phrase runs, requesting a renewal of
their mandates. He had an opponent, who, though not dangerous at first
and not much of an orator, was rich and was reported to be gaining votes
every day. Hippolyte Ceres, banishing both dull security and foolish
alarm from his mind, redoubled his care. His chief method of action
was by public meetings at which he spoke vehemently against the rival
candidate. His committee held huge meetings on Saturday evenings and
at three o'clock on Sunday afternoons. One Sunday, as he called on
the Clarences, he found Eveline alone in the drawing-room. He had been
chatting for about twenty or twenty-five minutes, when, taking out his
watch, he saw that it was a quarter to three. The young girl showed
herself amiable, engaging, attractive, and full of promises. Ceres was
fascinated, but he stood up to go.

"Stay a little longer," said she in a pressing and agr