Their _femme-de-menage_--a woman who goes out by the day or hour charring, cleaning and cooking--came back every afternoon about four o'clock to see to the dinner, and that day she was already there.

She admitted the visitor, though she could not conceal her anxious surprise at her boldness in calling in such slatternly garb.

However, on the very threshold of the little salon, Madame Theodore stopped short in wonderment herself, for her sister Hortense was sobbing and crouching on one of the armchairs, upholstered in blue repp, of which she was so proud.
"What is the matter?
What has happened to you ?" asked Madame Theodore.
Her sister, though scarcely two and thirty, was no longer "the beautiful Hortense" of former days.

She retained a doll-like appearance, with a tall slim figure, pretty eyes and fine, fair hair.

But she who had once taken so much care of herself, had now come down to dressing-gowns of doubtful cleanliness.