novel epidemic. After which Madame N—— asked me if I believed in talismans. Monsieur le Conseiller Nicolas relieved my embarrassment by saying that I, being an unbeliever, was bound to be superstitious.
"You are quite right," replied Madame N——. "He believes neither in God nor the devil. And he adores stories of the other world."
I looked at this charming woman while she was speaking; and I admired the unobtrusive grace her cheeks, her neck and her shoulders. Her whole person gives one the idea of something rare and precious. I do not know what Du Fau thinks of Madame N——'s foot. To me it is beautiful.
Paul Du Fau came and shook hands with me. I noticed that he was no longer wearing his ring.
"What have you done with your amethyst?"
"I have lost it."
"What! An intaglio more beautiful than any in Rome and Naples! You have lost it?"
Without giving him time to reply, N——, who is always at his side, exclaimed:
"Yes, it is a curious story. He has lost his amethyst."
N—— is an excellent fellow, very self confident,
