Existence is so bitter for every one of us! Ought we not to forgive others much, my friend, if we wish to merit forgiveness ourselves ?" For some seconds the marquis appeared embarrassed, for he was afraid of allusions.

But the good lady wore so sad a smile that he recovered almost at once and remarked: "No, there is no forgiveness for certain faults.

It is by reason of this kind of accommodating spirit that a society sinks into the abyss of ruin." The ball had grown still more animated.

A fresh quadrille was imparting a slight swaying motion to the drawing-room floor, as though the old dwelling had been shaken by the impulse of the dance.

Now and again amid the wan confusion of heads a woman's face with shining eyes and parted lips stood sharply out as it was whirled away by the dance, the light of the lusters gleaming on the white skin.