's shoulders and the spring of her graceful throat,
which was remarkably elegant. The Grecian bodice, crossing from left to
right with five folds, opened slightly, showing delicious curves; the
gray merino dress with green furbelows defined the pretty waist, which
had never looked so slender nor so supple. She wore earrings of gold
fret-work, and her hair, gathered up _a la chinoise_, let the eye take
in the soft freshness of a skin traced with blue veins, where the light
shone chastely on the pure white tones. Cesarine was so coquettishly
lovely that Madame Matifat could not help admitting it, without,
however, perceiving that mother and daughter had the one purpose of
bewitching Anselme.

Neither Birotteau, his wife, Madame Matifat nor any of the others
disturbed the sweet converse which the young people, thrilling with
love, held in whispering voices within the embrasure of a window,
through whose chinks the north wind blew its chilly whistle. The
conversation of the elders became animated when Popinot the judge let
fall a word about Roguin's flight, remarking that he was the second
notary who had absconded,--a crime formerly unknown. Madame Ragon, at
the word Roguin, touched her brother's foot, Pillerault spoke loudly to
drown his voice, and both made him a sign to remember Madame Birotteau.

"I know all," said Constance in a low, pained voice.

"Well, then," said Madame Matifat to Birotteau, who humbly bowed his
head, "how much did he carry of? If we are to believe the gossips, you
are ruined."

"He had two hundred thousand francs of mine," said Cesar. "As to the
forty thousand he pretended to make me borrow from one of his clients,
whose property he had already squandered, I am now bringing a suit to
recover them."

"The case will be decided this week," said Popinot. "I thought you would
not be unwilling that I should explain your situation to Monsieur le
president; he has ordered that all Roguin's papers be submitted to the
custody of the court, so as to ascertain the exact time when Roguin made
away with the funds of his client, and thus verify the facts alleged by
Derville, who made the argument himself to save you the expense."

"Shall we win?" asked Madame Birotteau.

"I don't know," answered Popinot. "Though I belong to the court in which
the suit is bought, I shall abstain from giving an opinion, even if
called upon."

"Can there be any doubt in such a simple case?" said Pillerault. "Such
deeds ma