Celine"s chambermaid entered，lit a lamp，left it on the table，and withdrew. The couple were thus revealed to me clearly: both removed their cloaks，and there was "the Varens," shining in satin and jewels,- my gifts of course,- and there was her panion in an officer"s uniform; and I knew him for a young roue of a vite- a brainless and vicious youth whom I had sometimes met in society，and had never thought of hating because I despised him so absolutely. On recognising him，the fang of the snake Jealousy was instantly broken; because at the same moment my love for Celine sank under an extinguisher. A woman who could betray me for such a rival was not worth contending for; she deserved only scorn; less，however，than I，who had been her dupe.

"They began to talk; their conversation eased me pletely: frivolous，mercenary，heartless，and senseless，it was rather calculated to weary than enrage a listener. A card of mine lay on the table; this being perceived，brought my name under discussion.

Neither of them possessed energy or wit to belabour me soundly，but they insulted me as coarsely as they could in their little way: especially Celine，who even waxed rather brilliant on my personal defects- deformities she termed them. Now it had been her custom to launch out into fervent admiration of what she called my "beaute male": wherein she differed diametrically from you，who told me point-blank，at the second interview，that you did not think me handsome. The contrast struck me at the time and-"

Adele here came running up again.