wife came in by the door of the office.

"I say, Boucard, there is going to be a queer scene in the chief's
room! There is a woman who can spend her days alternately, the odd
with Comte Ferraud, and the even with Comte Chabert."

"And in leap year," said Godeschal, "they must settle the /count/
between them."

"Silence, gentlemen, you can be heard!" said Boucard severely. "I
never was in an office where there was so much jesting as there is
here over the clients."

Derville had made the Colonel retire to the bedroom when the Countess
was admitted.

"Madame," he said, "not knowing whether it would be agreeable to you
to meet M. le Comte Chabert, I have placed you apart. If, however, you
should wish it--"

"It is an attention for which I am obliged to you."

"I have drawn up the memorandum of an agreement of which you and M.
Chabert can discuss the conditions, here, and now. I will go
alternately to him and to you, and explain your views respectively."

"Let me see, monsieur," said the Countess impatiently.

Derville read aloud: