[Xsb-installation] now to take the steamboat." "Well, " said Sallenauv

[Jamin D. <chr...@eu...>]

T to a middle-aged journalist to whom Mademoiselle Antonia had, during
the absence of Charles Keller, shown some kindness.
"I am going to Arcis," seems to have been said at the same instant by
writer and lady. The most
commonplace lives encounter similar coincidences. Now, madame, admire
the manner in which things link together. Setting forth on a purely
selfish financial enterprise, behold Mademoiselle Chocardelle suddenly
brought to the point
of wielding an immense electoral influence! And observe also that her
influence is of a nature to compensate for all the witty pin-pricks of
her gallant companion. Mademoiselle's affair, it appears, hung fire.

Twice she went to Gondreville, and was not admitted. The journalist
was busy,--partly with his articles, and partly with certain
commissions given to him by Monsieur de Trailles, under whose orders
he was told to place himself. Mademoiselle Antonia was therefore much
alone; and in the ennui of such solitude, she was led to create for
herself a really desperate amusement. A few steps from the Hotel de la
Poste is a bridge across the Aube; a path leads down beside it, by a
steep incline, to the water's
edge, which, being hidden
from the roadway above and little frequented, offers

peace and solitude to whoever may like to