betweenfancyandreality，thespiritandthelife。Modestewasapureyounggirl，inquisitiveafterknowledge，understandingherdestiny，andfilledwithchastity，——theVirginofSpainratherthantheMadonnaofRaphael。
SheraisedherheadwhensheheardDumaysaytoExupere，\"Comehere，youngman。\"SeeingthemtogetherinthecornerofthesalonshesupposedtheyweretalkingofsomecommissioninParis。Thenshelookedatthefriendswhosurroundedher，asifsurprisedbytheirsilence，andexclaimedinhernaturalmanner，\"Whyareyounotplaying？\"——withaglanceatthegreentablewhichtheimposingMadameLatournellecalledthe\"altar。\"
\"Yes，letusplay，\"saidDumay，havingsentoffExupere。
\"Sitthere，Butscha，\"saidMadameLatournelle，separatingthehead—
clerkfromthegrouparoundMadameMignonandherdaughterbythewholewidthofthetable。