The high-born Countess plunged her hand into the Duke's coffers just as if she had been a mere adventuress.

It is only ten days ago that she borrowed--you will observe the entry of it as a loan--a large sum to settle an account of Van Klopen's.

But let us now speak of the child who took the place of the boy whom the Duchess brought into the world.

You know him, doctor ?" "Yes, I have often seen him.

He was a good-looking young fellow." "He was, but he was a degraded scoundrel, after all.