is quite indescribable. Then, with the deep perspicacity given only by
utter villainy, or by fierce worldly selfishness, she knew that she
might live in peace on the word and the contempt of this loyal
veteran.

Chabert, in fact, disappeared. The dairyman failed in business, and
became a hackney-cab driver. The Colonel, perhaps, took up some
similar industry for a time. Perhaps, like a stone flung into a chasm,
he went falling from ledge to ledge, to be lost in the mire of rags
that seethes through the streets of Paris.

Six months after this event, Derville, hearing no more of Colonel
Chabert or the Comtesse Ferraud, supposed that they had no doubt come
to a compromise, which the Countess, out of revenge, had had arranged
by some other lawyer. So one morning he added up the sums he had
advanced to the said Chabert with the costs, and begged the Comtesse
Ferraud to claim from M. le Comte Chabert the amount of the bill,
assuming that she would know where to find her first husband.

The very next day Comte Ferraud's man of business, lately appointed
President of the County Court in a town of some importance, wrote this
distressing note to Derville:

"MONSIEUR,--

"Madame la Comtesse Ferraud desires me to inform you that your
client took complete advantage of your confidence, and that the
individual calling himself Comte Chabert has acknowledged that he
came forward under false pretences.