any creditor — I mean that we shall leave behind us a clean and good name...

She raised her beautiful black eyes toward him, and he read in them astonishment and reproach, and she said in a tone of pure wonder:

— What has put such thoughts into your head?! You know I cannot bear to be in debt to anyone for anything. Do you remember what I told you six months ago, when you showed me your distress at our material situation?

— Yes... and I was astonished that day at your firm assurance that we could hold out to the end without borrowing.

— And I promised you I would take this matter upon my own responsibility. I believe I have kept my promise. Is there anything you can complain of in the running of our life?

He answered at once:

— No! But it remains a dark mystery to me.

She said, knowing what was passing through his mind:

— Set your mind at rest, my dear. I assure you I have not borrowed, and I have not speculated, and the money we have will suffice to cover all the expenses of the journey; and there will remain to us a sum not to be despised, which will help us establish our life in Rio. I know our life must be modest there, but the monthly salary you will draw, together with what we have, will enable us to secure a very tolerable material life.

Jean said, jesting:

— Let me buy your secret — perhaps I can build a new fortune out of it!

She answered gravely:

— No! Do not try to clear up a matter that concerns no one but me.

Jean felt his heart torn as he repeated the phrase in which she had said: "It is a matter that concerns no one but me."

Then Carlotta rose, saying:

— Come to bed; we must rest and gather our strength for tomorrow, for it will be a hard day.

He sighed and rose, gazing at his beloved wife, who went up to the mirror, and, after casting a glance at herself, unclasped the pearl necklace, took a small key from her handbag, then opened a drawer, drew out of it a large velvet case, laid the necklace in it, returned it to the drawer, and locked it. Then she smiled and threw herself into his arms, saying:

— We must think only of the future. We shall live a few beauti-ful years, even if we no longer have the fortune we possessed before — for our two hearts are still what they were of old...

And three months later Jean Beraldi and his wife were prepar-ing to answer an invitation to an evening dinner at the house of the governor of the city of Rio. This party was the first official party

they would attend since their