long and useless attempts, she merely said:

"Nonsense! When a man loves his wife, you know ... that sort of thing
adjusts itself to the situation."

And Monsieur de Courville made no reply, as he felt rather confused
himself.




THE SUBSTITUTE


"Madame Bonderoi?"

"Yes, Madame Bonderoi."

"Impossible."

"I tell you it is."

Madame Bonderoi, the old lady in a lace cap, the devout, the holy, the
honorable Madame Bonderoi, whose little false curls looked as if they
were glued round her head.

"That is the very woman."

"Oh! Come, you must be mad."