“But although I did not go to her parties I did not the less hear the gossip that was afloat, nor was I the less unhappy, for these reports were assuming a tangible shape.
“I resolved therefore to write to her, and beg her in the strongest language of which I was capable, for her own and her husband’s sake, to be careful. She never answered my letter.
“Some time afterwards I heard it publicly stated that Emily was actually the mistress of Chateau Renaud. What I suffered I cannot express.
“It was then my poor brother became conscious of my grief.
“Then, after about a fortnight, you came back to Paris. The very day you called upon me I received an anonymous letter from a lady unknown appointing a meeting at the Opera Ball.
“This woman said that she had certain information to convey to me respecting a lady friend of mine, whose Christian name only she would mention.
“The name was Emily.
“My correspondent said I should recognize her by her carrying a bouquet of violets.
“I told you at the time that I did not wish to go to the ball, but I repeat I was hurried thither by fate.