"Madame, I knew it before," said the Comte, rising; "still, I thank you."
"Oh, M'sieur, I have put it all away—I swear it!"
"I believe you," interrupted the Comte, "and now no more of it! I also am going to be frank with you." He went with a smile to a corner where stood the little box, done up in rope, which held the trousseau of the Comtesse de Bonzag. "Open that, and give me the lottery-tickets I gave you."
"Hanh? You—M'sieur says?"
"The lottery-tickets—"
"Oh, M'sieur, but they're not there—"
"Then where are they?"
"Oh, M'sieur, wait; I'll tell you," said Francine, simply. "When Andoche went off—"
