ompt
rejoinder. "To be brief, I believe Monsieur de Beaujardin allows you
fifty louis a year. For special reasons I desire to engage you in my
service, and I will give you double that amount."

However tempting the offer might seem, Jasmin happened to know that
those who had the honour of serving Madame de Valricour were not
unfrequently put to straits, from the difficulty of getting their wages
paid at all, and at any other moment he would probably have declared
that no amount could induce him to leave so noble a master as the young
marquis; but he thought he saw clouds gathering over Isidore's head,
and the little incident in the corridor was rankling in him.

"But, madame," said he, "what will be said abroad if I----"

"For the present, at least," replied the baroness, "I do not desire
that it shall be known. You can still be valet to my nephew, and
receive your wages from him too. Has Monsieur Jasmin never heard of
such little arrangements in families where untoward circumstances have
occurred to mar a good understanding?"

"Madame," said Jasmin, bowing, "I accept your offer. It is not for me
to say more than that my doing so puts me under the necessity of
carrying out, without question or scruple, any directions you may give
me."

"Good," rejoined the baroness. "Monsieur de Beaujardin has offended,
and even insulted me. I am going to the Chateau de Beaujardin, and I
wish to reach it before he does."

Jasmin bowed again: "If monsieur's horse should unfortunately go lame,"
said he, suggestively, "I am afraid there will be nothing left in the
stables for him to ride, if your ladyship takes the four horses."

"It is for you to see to that," replied the lady, sharply, for she did
not relish the half sneer at the state of the Valricours' stables, nor
the idea of Monsieur Jasmin's presuming upon his new position and
becoming familiar. "For the rest," she added, "you will understand
that I desire to be kept exactly informed of Monsieur de Beaujardin's
movements and also those of----"

"Of Mademoiselle Lacroix," said Jasmin, filling up the pause.

"Yes; that is enough. Stay, here are twenty crowns on account of your
wages."

With these words Madame de Valricour opened her escritoire and handed
the money to Jasmin, who once more bowed low and retired. He had
scarcely gone half the length of the corridor, however, before he was
recalled by his new mistress. "There is one thing more," said she, as
they