follow my own inclinations and love whom I please. I shall be a woman of nature, not of society.

"From society's conventional point of view, what we have done was wrong. From nature's point of view, we have only given satisfaction to our legitimate desires."

"Did you understand?"

"Quite well."

"Well, think of this all day. This evening you can let me know whether you want to be nature's woman or that of society."

I rang the bell and the maid came. Violette was in her bed, showing only her head. "Madame Leonie," I said, "you will please attend to all this young lady's wants; you will have her food sent by Chevet, her pastry from Julien's. There is Bordeaux wine in the cupboard and 300 francs in this drawer.

"Ah! I forgot. Send for a dressmaker to measure the young lady for two simple but tasteful dresses, with bonnets to match."

When I returned in the evening, Violette ran up to me, and, throwing herself into my arms, she said:

"I thought of what you told me."

"All day?"

"No, for five minutes, and I prefer to be nature's woman."

"You do not wish to return to Monsieur Beruchet?"

"Oh, no!"

"You wish to return to your sister's?"

Violette made no reply.

"Do you think it inconvenient to return to your sister's?"

"I am afraid it may not please Monsieur Ernest."

"Who is that Monsieur Ernest?"

"A young man who visits my sister and who is a journalist."

"What makes you think that he would not like to see you with your sister?"

"Because, when by chance Madame Beruchet sent me for an errand, and I quickly ran to kiss my sister when M. Ernest was there, he looked quite sulky. He went into the other room with Marguerite and locked the door. One day I remained because the lady had told me to wait for an answer and that seemed to put them both out of temper."