ame Froment is kind enough to invite us."

Then, as was bound to happen, the talk turned on the Beauchenes.
This was a subject which haunted the Moranges, who lived in perpetual
admiration of the Beauchenes, though at times they covertly criticised
them. Valerie was very proud of being privileged to attend Constance's
Saturday "at-homes," and of having been twice invited to dinner by her
during the previous winter. She on her side now had a day of her own,
Tuesday, and she even gave little private parties, and half ruined
herself in providing refreshments at them. As for her acquaintances,
she spoke with profound respect of Mme. Seguin du Hordel and that lady's
magnificent mansion in the Avenue d'Antin, for Constance had obligingly
obtained her an invitation to a ball there. But she was particularly
vain of the friendship of Beauchene's sister, Seraphine, whom she
invariably called "Madame la Baronne de Lowicz."

"The Baroness came to my at-home one afternoon," she said. "She is so
very good-natured and so gay! You knew her formerly, did you not? After
her marriage, eh? when she became reconciled to her brother and their
wretched disputes about money matters were over. By the way, she has no
great liking for Madame Beauchene, as you must know."

Then she again reverted to the manufacturer's wife, declared that little
Maurice, however sturdy he might look, was simply puffed out with bad
flesh; and she remarked that it would be a terrible blow for the parents
if they should lose that only son. The subject of children was thus
started, and when Mathieu, laughing, observed that they, the Moranges,
had but one child, the cashier protested that it was unfair to compare
him with M. Beauchene, who was such a wealthy man. Valerie, for
her part, pictured the position of her parents, afflicted with four
daughters, who had been obliged to wait months and months for boots and
frocks and hats, and had grown up anyhow, in perpetual terror lest they
should never find husbands. A family was all very well, but when it
happened to consist of daughters the situation became terrible for
people of limited means; for if daughters were to be launched properly
into life they must have dowries.

"Besides," said she, "I am very ambitious for my husband, and I am
convinced that he may rise to a very high position if he will only
listen to me. But he must not be saddled with a lot of incumbrances. As
things stand, I trust that we may be able to