political league and its aims to her? For her limited education, that of
a refined and expensive toy, she was ignorant of the laws and
regulations governing even herself, and these laws were too subtly
interwoven and inexorable for man alone to have formed them. She did not
suspect the great reasons of the State in setting them in motion to
accomplish collective ends and destinies, whether they wrought good or
evil to individuals. Enough that they were necessary for a dynasty or a
class; but in all cases, the rulers knew why they were made.

Little by little, but without loss of time, her perspicacity penetrated
the disguises, although not to the motives that impelled the plotters.
She centered her thoughts on the old, white-locked pianist, who silently
listened to all the parties and was tolerated even when the piano was
closed; he was taciturn, always blandly smiling and bent in a servile
bow. Nevertheless, this was the principal of the conspirators and even
the viscount-baron treated him with some deference as representing a
formidable power.

One morning, Césarine came over to the marchioness's and took advantage
of the drawing-room being open to be aired, to open the piano and
practice an aria which she had promised at the next soirée. There was
nothing but praise for her singing, and old, retired tenors and obese
soprani had assured her that she had but to have one hearing in the
Opera to be placed among the stars. The aged pianist had often listened
to her vocalism with enraptured gaze, and she believed he, too, was her
slave.

He had now glided into the room and upon the piano stool, and, as if by
magic divining her wish, silently opened the piece of music for which
she had been hunting. For the first time their eyes met without any