They will come to see how a notorious
woman lives, and to ascertain if there are any good bargains to be
had. This is the right form. These great ladies would be
delighted to display diamonds purchased at the sale of a woman of
the demi monde. Oh! don't fear--your exhibition will be visited
by my wife and daughter, by the Viscountess de Bois d'Ardon, by
Madame de Rochecote, her five daughters, and a great many more.
Then the papers will take up the refrain; they will give an
account of your financial difficulties, and tell the public what
you paid for your pictures."
It was with a sort of terror-stricken curiosity that Madame
d'Argeles watched the baron. It had been many years since she had
seen him in such a frame of mind--since she had heard him talk in
such a cynical fashion. "I am ready to follow your advice," said
she, "but afterward?"
"What, don't you understand the object I have in view? Afterward
you will disappear. I know five or six journalists; and it would
be very strange if I could not convince one of them that you had
died upon an hospital pallet. It will furnish the subject of a
touching, and what is better, a moral article. The papers will
say, 'Another star has disappeared. This is the miserable end of
all the poor wretches whose passing luxury scandalizes honest
women.'"
"And what will become of me?"
"A respected woman, Lia.
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