“Hush,” said Emilie, striking the fingers of the baron with her fan, “Louise is not asleep!”
The carriage stopped, and the baron offered his hand to his wife’s fair friend and helped her to get out.
“I hope,” said Madame B——-, “that you will not prevent Louise from coming to the ball which I am giving this week.”
The baron made her a respectful bow.
This ball was a triumph of Madame B——-’s and the ruin of the husband of Louise; for he became desperately enamored of Emilie, to whom he would have sacrificed a hundred lawful wives.
Some months after that evening on which the baron gained some hopes of succeeding with his wife’s friend, he found himself one morning at the house of Madame B——-, when the maid came to announce the Baroness de V——-.
“Ah!” cried Emilie, “if Louise were to see you with me at such an hour as this, she would be capable of compromising me. Go into that closet and don’t make the least noise.”
The husband, caught like a mouse in a trap, concealed himself in the closet.
“Good-day, my dear!” said the two women, kissing each other.
“Why are you come so early?” asked Emilie.