tragedian in the provinces.

Madame Darbois seated herself on the only chair in the little office.
When the official had read Esperance's birth certificate, he
exclaimed, "What! Mademoiselle is the daughter of the famous professor
of philosophy?'"

The two women looked at each other with amazement.

"Why, ladies," went on the official, radiantly, "my son is taking
courses with M. Darbois at the Sorbonne. What a pleasure it is to meet
you--but how does it happen that M. Darbois has allowed...?" His
sentence died in his throat. Madame Darbois had become very pale and
her daughter's nostrils quivered. The official finished with his
papers, returned them politely to Madame Darbois, and said in a low
tone, "Have no anxiety, Madame, the little lady has a wonderful future
before her."

The two ladies thanked the official and made their way toward the
door. The group of young men bowed to the young girl, and she inclined
her head ever so slightly.

"Oh, la-la," screamed the big chamber-maid.

Esperance stopped on the threshold and looked directly at the woman,
who blushed, and said nothing more.

"Ho, ho," jeered one of the youths, "she settled you finely that time,
didn't she?"