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it away in his pocket "Let us consider that poor Madame Dauvray!

Did she keep much money in the house?"

"No, monsieur; very little She ell known in Aix and her

cheques were everywhere accepted without question It was a high

pleasure to serve ood," said Helene

Vauquier, raising her head as though she herself had a share in

the pride of that good credit

"No doubt," Hanaud agreed "There areaccount is overdrawn, and it cannot be pleasant for

the servants"

"They are put to so hbours," said Helene "Besides," and she ri

account--it is like a ragged petticoat under a satin dress That

was never the case with Madame Dauvray"

"So that she was under no necessity to have ready money always in

her pocket," said Hanaud "I understand that But at times perhaps

she won at the Villa des Fleurs?"

Helene Vauquier shook her head

"She loved the Villa des Fleurs, but she never played for high

sums and often never played at all If she won a few louis, she

was as delighted with her gains and as afraid to lose theain

at the tables as if she were of the poorest, and she stopped at

once No, monsieur; twenty or thirty louis--there was never more

than that in the house"