casing of sugar of romance. Mrs. Thompson would not have the sugar
but the cake might not be the worse on that account.

"No, madame, not as yet; but they shall all be made open and at your
disposal," said M. Lacordaire; and Mrs. Thompson bowed approvingly.

"I am in business," continued M. Lacordaire; "and my business gives
me eight thousand francs a year."

"Four times eight are thirty-two," said Mrs. Thompson to herself;
putting the francs into pounds sterling, in the manner that she had
always found to be the readiest. Well, so far the statement was
satisfactory. An income of three hundred and twenty pounds a year
from business, joined to her own, might do very well. She did not
in the least suspect M. Lacordaire of being false, and so far the
matter sounded well.

"And what is the business?" she asked, in a tone of voice intended
to be indifferent, but which nevertheless showed that she listened
anxiously for an answer to her question.

They were both standing with their arms upon the wall, looking down
upon the town of Le Puy; but they had so stood that each could see
the other's countenance as they talked. Mrs. Thompson could now
perceive that M. Lacordaire became red in the face, as he paused
before answering her. She was near to him, and seeing his emotion
gently touched his arm with her hand. This she did to reassure him,
for she saw that he was ashamed of having to declare that he was a
tradesman. As for herself, she had made up her mind to bear with
this, if she found, as she felt sure she would find, that the trade