CHAPTERX
HOWBRIGITTEWASWON
Thedayafterthisconferenceatthe\"ChevalRouge，\"laPeyradewenttodinewiththeThuilliers，andonthecommonplacepretextofavisittopay，Thuilliercarriedoffhiswife，leavingTheodosealonewithBrigitte。NeitherThuillier，norhissister，norTheodose，werethedupesofthiscomedy；buttheoldbeauoftheEmpireconsideredthemanoeuvreapieceofdiplomacy。
\"Youngman，donottakeadvantageofmysister’sinnocence；respectit，\"saidThuilliersolemnly，ashedeparted。
\"Mademoiselle，\"saidTheodose，drawinghischairclosertothesofawhereBrigittesatknitting，\"haveyouthoughtofinducingthebusinessmenofthearrondissementtosupportThuillier’sinterests？\"