“She went to the Marquis’ colonel and told him the whole story. The Marquis made a stiff fight because he had powerful family connections, but they got rid of him. It was really true, though, that he meant to marry you and commit bigamy.”
“Oh, Jean,” cried Diane with the deepest feeling, “how often have I though of poor François’ saying, that God takes care of women and fools and drunken people! If I had married the Marquis, I should have killed him, certainly.”
“But tell me,” said Jean, “how did you get up in the world so quickly?”
“Because I am a woman and a fool,” answered Diane with great simplicity. “I had a hundred and fifty-two francs—”
“After you had given half you had to the other woman,” interjected Jean.
“And I travelled third class to Paris. On the train I bought a newspaper and looked out for all the advertisements of singing teachers whose terms were reasonable. I found one in a musician and his wife. They took me to live in their house for what board I could pay. The singing master said at once that I had a better voice than I supposed, and he got me into the chorus at the Opera. That paid me something, and I worked, I can tell you, at my singing. The first engagement I had was at a cheap place on the other side of the river, but I went on steadily, earning more money and more people knowing me. I didn’t visit Bohemia, nor go out to supper, nor do any of those crazy things that ruin the voice. I think my singing teacher valued my voice above my soul, but at all events, the time came when I was able to pay him well for his trouble, and began to lay up something comfortable for myself. And here I am.”
“And buy diamonds,” suggested Jean. “I saw you blazing with them.”
Diane laughed scornfully.
“No you didn’t,” she said. “They were pure paste. I am not half such a fool in some ways as you think. But why, why didn’t you come to see me? How could you look at me when I was singing and not think enough of the old days to seek me out?”
“Because you were too grand,” replied Jean. “I took the paste things for real diamonds.”