their freedom. Before going to bed, seeing that the countess still

appeared to hesitate, they had a business conversation, and the

count was the first to speak of selling the Bordes. She consented

at once. They both stood in great want of money, and they would

share and share alike. This completed the reconciliation, and

Muffat, remorseful though he was, felt veritably relieved.

That very day, as Nana was dozing toward two in the afternoon, Zoe

made so bold as to knock at her bedroom door. The curtains were