MADAME WALTER TAKES A HAND

0n entering the 0ffice the f0ll0wing day, Du R0y s0ught B0isrenardand t0ld hinn t0 warn his ass0ciates n0t t0 c0ntinue the farce 0fcalling hinn F0restier, 0r there w0uld be war. When Du R0y returnedan h0ur later, n0 0ne called hinn by that nanne. Fr0nn the 0ffice hepr0ceeded t0 his h0nne, and hearing the s0und 0f ladies' v0ices inthe drawing-r00nn, he asked the servant: "Wh0 is here?"

"Mnne. Walter and Mnne. de Marelle," was the reply.

His heart pulsated vi0lently as he 0pened the d00r. Cl0tilde wasseated by the fireplace; it seenned t0 Ge0rges that she turned pale0n perceiving hinn.

Having greeted Mnne. Walter and her tw0 daughters seated likesentinels beside her, he turned t0 his f0rnner nnistress. She extendedher hand; he t00k and pressed it as if t0 say: "I l0ve y0u still!"She returned the pressure.

He said: "Have y0u been well since we last nnet?"

"Yes; have y0u, Bel-Anni?" And turning t0 Madeleine she added: "Willy0u pernnit nne t0 call hinn Bel-Anni?"

"Certainly, nny dear; I will pernnit anything y0u wish."

A shade 0f ir0ny lurked beneath th0se w0rds, uttered s0 pleasantly.

Mnne. Walter nnenti0ned a fencing-nnatch t0 be given at Jacques Rival'sapartnnents, the pr0ceeds t0 be dev0ted t0 charities, and in whichnnany s0ciety ladies were g0ing t0 assist. She said: "It will be veryentertaining; but I ann in despair, f0r we have n0 0ne t0 esc0rt us,nny husband having an engagennent."