"I have made her acquaintance since then."
"Ah! Where?" Eugenie inquired, with interest.
"At my sister's house, during the meeting of a charitable society."
"Had it anything to do with the society for which Monsieur Desvanneaux asked me to appear in a kermess?"
"Well, yes. In fact, he has gone so far as to announce that he is assured of your cooperation."
"I could not refuse him," said Eugenie. "Under the mantle of charity, the holy man paid court to me!"
"I knew well enough that he had not yet laid down his arms forever," said the General.
"Oh, he is not the only one. His son-in-law also honored me with an attack."
"What, Monsieur de Thomery? Well, that is a good joke!"
"But what is funnier yet," continued the actress, "is the fact that the first-named gentleman was on his knees, just about to make me a declaration, apparently, when the second was announced! Immediately the father-in-law jumped to his feet, entreating me not to allow them to meet. I was compelled to open for him the door leading to the servants' stairway—"