"I am ashamed of both of you, and you, Adolphe, ought to know better than to laugh at such misery."
"Come this way, madame, and I will show you the suicides," said the professor, "and you can then judge for yourself."
He conducted Madame Villebois, with great reluctance on her part, to a spot where she could see the pigeon club. A number of members of the club attired in the very latest and most approved costumes were watching a couple of sportsmen alternately firing at some pigeons which were being liberated from a row of traps.
"These are your suicides, madame," said the professor, smiling.
An elegantly dressed young lady, obviously belonging to the demi-monde world, walked up to one of the sportsmen.
"Well, monsieur, it is a surprise to see you here. I suppose you have come here for the pigeon match?"
"That is so, I am here for the shooting. And what are you here for?"
"Me? Oh! I am here for the pigeons."
The young man looked amused, and offering her his arm they strolled together into the club.