"That is true! O mon Dieu! how true it is!"
"I trust that you do not believe——"
"I believe only that Albert is very fortunate when he is with you."
"That is too kind of you! but what did he tell you to say to me?"
"To offer a thousand excuses—and then, to escort you to a place where he will join us—a little later."
"Ah! he will join us—and he has sent you to keep me company?"
"If you will be good enough to accept the substitution."
"This seems to me rather inconsiderate on Monsieur Albert's part. I don't know if I ought to believe you."
"Here's a letter which he gave me for you, so that you might have full confidence in me."
Madame Plays took the letter, opened it, recognized Albert's signature, and tried to read it; but it was too dark, so she folded the letter and put it in her bosom, saying: