I am acquainted with his thoughts; he is anxious to live down the errors of his youth.

Estelle will bring him back to the path of virtue, be sure of that." "Oh, Estelle!" Mme Chantereau murmured disdainfully.

"I believe the dear young thing to be incapable of willing anything; she is so insignificant!" This opinion caused M.Venot to smile.

However, he went into no explanations about the young bride and, shutting his eyes, as though to avoid seeming to take any further interest in the matter, he once more lost himself in his corner behind the petticoats.

Mme Hugon, though weary and absent-minded, had caught some phrases of the conversation, and she now intervened and summed up in her tolerant way by remarking to the Marquis de Chouard, who just then bowed to her: "These ladies are too severe.