itating some
crushing reply; but she did not give him time to deliver it. "When
I have cause to complain of the people I employ, I dismiss them and
replace them by others. Insolence is one of those things that I never
forgive. Give me your bill."

The man, in whose face doubt, fear, and hope had succeeded each other in
swift succession, thereupon drew an interminable bill from his pocket.
And when he saw the bank-notes, when he saw the bill paid without
dispute or even examination, he was seized with a wondering respect, and
his voice became sweeter than honey. They say the payment of a bad debt
delights a merchant a thousand times more than the settlement of fifty
good ones. The truth of this assertion became apparent in the present
case. Mademoiselle Marguerite thought the man was going to beg "Madame
la Comtesse to do him the favor to withhold a portion of the small
amount." For the Parisian tradesman is so constituted that very
frequently it is not necessary to pay him money, but only to show it.

However, this creditor's abnegation did not extend so far; still he did
entreat Madame la Comtesse not to leave him on account of a blunder--for
it was a blunder--he swore it on his children's heads. His coachman was
only a fool and a drunkard, who had misunderstood him entirely, and whom
he should ignominiously dismiss on returning to his establishment.
But "Madame la Comtesse" was inflexible. She sent the man about his
business, saying, "I never place myself in a position to be treated with
disrespect a second time."

This probably accounted for the fact that Evariste, the footman, who had
been so wanting in respect the previous evening, had been sent away that
very morning. Mademoiselle Marguerite did not see him again. Dinner was
served by a new servant, who had been sent by an Employment Office, and
engaged without a question, no doubt because Evariste's livery fitted
him like a glove. Had the cook also been replaced? Mademoiselle
Marguerite thought so, though she had no means of convincing herself on
this point. It was certain, however, that the Sunday dinner was utterly
unlike that of the evening before. Quality had replaced quantity, and
care, profusion. It was not necessary to send to the cellar for a bottle
of Chateau-Laroze; it made its appearance at the proper moment, warmed
to the precise degree of temperature, and seemed quite to the taste of
excellent Madame Leon.

In twenty-four hours the Fondege family