"It's a trap," cried she, when Bourdoncle and Jouve came in. "This lace has been placed on me, I swear before Heaven."
She was now weeping tears of rage, and fell on a chair, suffocated in her dress. The partner sent away the saleswomen, and resumed, with his quiet air: "We are quite willing, madame, to hush up this painful affair for the sake of your family. But you must first sign a paper thus worded: I have stolen some lace from The Ladies' Paradise,' followed by the details of the lace, and the day of the month. Besides, I shall be happy to return you this document whenever you like to bring me a sum of two thousand francs for the poor."
She got up again, and declared in a fresh outburst: "I'll never sign that, I'd rather die."
"You won't die, madame; but I warn you that I shall sho
