This proved an easy task, thanks to the assistance of
my silent partners, and the innocent simplicity of several of
their friends and certain journalists. As for myself, I did my
best to insure the success of the horrible farce which was to lend
infamous notoriety to the name of Lia d'Argeles. I had
magnificent equipages and superb dresses, and I made myself
conspicuous at the theatres and all places of public resort. As
is generally the case when one is acting contrary to conscience, I
called the most absurd sophistries to my assistance. I tried to
convince myself that appearances are nothing, that reality is
everything, and that it did not matter if I were known as a
courtesan since rumor lied, and my life WAS really chaste. When
the baron hastened to me and tried to rescue me from the abyss
into which I had flung myself. it was too late. I had discovered
that the business would prove successful; and for your sake, I
longed for money as passionately, as madly, as any miser. Last
year my gaming-room yielded more than one hundred and fifty
thousand francs clear profit, and I received as my share the
thirty-five thousand francs which you squandered. Now you know me
as I really am. My associates, my partners, the men whose secret
I have faithfully kept, walk the streets with their heads erect.
They boast of their unsullied honor, and they are respected by
every one.
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