When Denise called she found Madame Robineau alone. Daughter of an overseer in the Department of Highways, entirely ignorant of business matters, she still retained the charming awkwardness of a girl educated in a Blois convent She was dark, very pretty, with a gentle, cheerful manner, which gave her a great charm. She adored her husband, living solely by his love. As Denise was about to leave her name Robineau came in, and engaged her at once, one of his two saleswomen having left the previous day to go to The Ladies' Paradise.
"They don't leave us a single good hand," said he. "However, with you I shall feel quite easy, for you are like me, you can't be very fond of them. Come to-morrow."
In the evening Denise hardly knew how to announce her departure to Bourras. In fact, he called her
