"No," said Pellerin rudely, "'tis a woman's portrait."
Martinon added:
"And a living woman's, too, and no mistake! Isn't that so, Cisy?"
"Oh! I know nothing about it."
"I thought you were acquainted with her. But, since it causes you pain, I must beg a thousand pardons!"
Cisy lowered his eyes, proving by his embarrassment that he must have played a pitiable part in connection with this portrait. As for Frederick, the model could only be his mistress. It was one of those convictions which are immediately formed, and the faces of the assembly revealed it with the utmost clearness.
"How he lied to me!" said Madame Arnoux to herself.
"It is for her, then, that he left me," thought Louise.
Frederick had an idea that these two stories might compromise him; and when they were in the garde
