" Detained by your friend, Mr. Tussac," replied tbe widow, with a dissatisfied air, "you always tell me so r

" You know that I have been bound to Tussac ever since our college-days, and that his friendship is highly useful to me."

"1 know all your friends except him. Why, then, have you not introduced him here?"

" Tussac is an orignal who don't go anywhere; a bear who fears to make himself known. He cannot submit to any constraint; he is always vilely, negligentlv dressed; he says the first thing that comes uppermost, and he is always smoking; these are defects that shut him out of the society of ladies. I have tried to bring him here, but he will not consent."

" Still I am very anxions and curious to see him."

" Perhaps we may meet him some dav n la promenaae ; then we will take him by surprise." The next day Madame de Sareuil said to Leopold : "My dear, will you explain the cause of the confusion of your affairs ?" '• What do you mean ? " " In conversation this morning with my solicitor, who is also yours, I learnt by accident, and witlout wishing it, certain particulars of a singular character. Litely you were embar rassed for the want of fifteen thousand francs, of which you had the greatest need."

" Yes; that is true, that sum was necessary to me; indispensable, in fact!"

44 Shall I be guilty of an act ot in discretion if I ask for what purpose ?" 41 Oh ! mon Dieu n». Besides you know well that I have nothing to conceal from you. It wasjmy friend Tussac, who made an unfortunate speculation on 1 Change, who begged me to lend him that money." " Monsieur Tussac again I And to serve your friend you strip yourself of fortune—you sold a farm in Nor mandy." 41 True friendship recoils from no sacrifice." 44 But are vou sure that your friend ship is well placed ? Lp to this time M. 