At other times, on the contrary, in spite of a conscious sense of her own value, Mdlle. de Cardoville, remembering the charming countenance of Rose-Pompon, asked herself if the bad taste and improper manners of this pretty creature resulted from precocious and depraved effrontery, or from a complete ignorance of the usages of society.  In the latter case, such ignorance, arising from a simple and ingenuous nature, might in itself have a great charm; and if to this attraction, combined with that of incontestable beauty, were added sincere love and a pure soul, the obscure birth, or neglected education of the girl might be of little consequence, and she might be capable of inspiring Djalma with a profound passion.  If Adrienne hesitated to see a lost creature in Rose-Pompon, notwithstanding unfavorable appearances, it was because, remembering what so many travellers had related of Djalma’s greatness of soul, and recalling the conversation she had overheard between him and Rodin, she could not bring herself to believe that a man of such remarkable intelligence, with so tender a heart, so poetical, imaginative and enthusiastic a mind could be capable of loving a depraved and vulgar creature, and of openly exhibiting himself in public along with her.  There was a mystery in the transaction, which Adrienne sought in vain to penetrate.  These trying doubts, this cruel curiosity, only served to nourish Adrienne’s fatal love; and we may imagine her incurable despair, when she found that the indifference, or even disdain of Djalma, was unable to stifle a passion that now burned more fiercely than ever.  Sometimes, having recourse to notions of fatality, she fancied that she was destined to feel this love; that Djalma must therefore deserve it, and that one day whatever was incomprehensible in the conduct of the prince would be explained to his advantage.  At other times, on the contrary, she felt ashamed of excusing Djalma, and the consciousness of this weakness was for Adrienne a constant occasion for remorse and torture.  The victim of all these agonies, she lived in perfect solitude.

The cholera soon broke out, startling as a clap of thunder.  Too unhappy to fear the pestilence on her own account, Adrienne was only moved by the sorrows of others.  She was amongst the first to contribute to those charitable donations, which were now flowing in from all sides in the admirable spirit of benevolence.  Florine was suddenly attacked by the epidemic.  In spite of the danger, her mistress insisted on seeing her, and endeavored to revive her failing courage.  Conquered by this new mark of kindness, Florine could no longer conceal the treachery in which she had borne a part.  Death was about to deliver her from the odious tyranny of the people whose yoke weighed upon her, and she was at length in a position to reveal everything to Adrienne.  The latter thus learned how she had been continually betrayed by Florine, and also the cause of the sewing-girl’s abrupt