the country.  Even that is not all.  I was required to write twice or thrice a week to M. Rodin, and to relate to him everything that should occur in the house.  I ought to acknowledge, honored madame, that these infamous proposals were as much as possible disguised and dissimulated under sufficiently specious pretexts; but, notwithstanding the aspect which with more or less skill it was attempted to give to the affair, it was precisely and substantially what I have now had the honor of stating to you.”

“Corruption, calumny, and false and treacherous impeachment!” said Adrienne, with disgust:  “I cannot think of such wretches without involuntarily feeling my mind shocked by dismal ideas of black, venomous, and vile reptiles, of aspects most hideous indeed.  How much more do I love to dwell upon the consoling thought of honest Dupont and his wife!” Adrienne proceeded: 

“Believe me, we hesitated not an instant.  We quit Cardoville, which has been our home for the last twenty years;—­but we shall quit it like honest people, and with the consciousness of our integrity.  And now, honored madame, if, in the brilliant circle in which you move—­you, who are so benevolent and amiable—­could find a place for us by your recommendation, then, with endless gratitude to you, we shall escape from a position of most cruel embarrassment.”

“Surely, surely,” said Adrienne, “they shall not in vain appeal to me.  To wrest excellent persons from the grip of M. Rodin, is not only a duty but a pleasure:  for it is at once a righteous and a dangerous enterprise; and dearly do I love to brave powerful oppressors!” Adrienne again went on reading: 

“After having thus spoken to you of ourselves, honored madame, permit us to implore your protection for other unfortunates; for it would be wicked to think only of one’s self.  Three days ago, two shipwrecks took place upon our ironbound coast.  A few passengers only were saved, and were conducted hither, where I and my wife gave them all necessary attentions.  All these passengers have departed for Paris, except one, who still remains, his wounds having hitherto prevented him from leaving the house, and, indeed, they will constrain him to remain for some days to come.  He is a young East Indian prince, of about twenty years of age, and he appears to be as amiable and good as he is handsome, which is not a little to say, though he has a tawny skin, like the rest of his countrymen, as I understand.”

“An Indian prince! twenty years of age! young, amiable, and handsome!” exclaimed Adrienne, gayly; “this is quite delightful, and not at all of an ordinary or vulgar nature!  Oh! this Indian prince has already awakened all my sympathies!  But what can I do with this Adonis from the banks of the Ganges, who has come to wreck himself upon the Picardy coast?”

Adrienne’s three women looked at her with much astonishment, though they were accustomed to the singular eccentricities of her character.