"So, as you can imagine, I purified my house on the instant; I dismissed Mademoiselle Adelaide."
"And your clerk too?"
"He went of his own accord. We might have forgiven him, perhaps; he was so young!"
"Of course, and the smell of onions goes to the heart."
"But Monsieur Ballot chose to lose his head, and away he went."
"You will find somebody to take his place."
"That's what I'm looking for at this moment. Ah! Monsieur Cherami, a young man who had—my whole confidence! You can't rely on anything or anybody nowadays!"
"That's the only way to avoid being taken in."
The stout lady heaved a tremendous sigh and leaned heavily on the arm of her escort, who said to himself:
"I wonder if she would like to have me replace Monsieur Ballot?—Thanks! I have my cue."