de Cardoville still more strictly, to act towards her with redoubled severity, and to endeavor to force her, it will be seen by what expedients, to renounce the judicial proceedings, which she promised herself to take hereafter against her persecutors.  At sight of the doctor, Mdlle. de Cardoville could not hide the aversion and disdain with which this man inspired her.  M. Baleinier, on the contrary, always smiling, always courteous, approached Adrienne with perfect ease and confidence, stopped a few steps from her, as if to study her features more attentively, and then added like a man who is satisfied with the observations he had made:  “Come! the unfortunate events of the night before last have had a less injurious influence than I feared.  There is some improvement; the complexion is less flushed, the look calmer, the eyes still somewhat too bright, but no longer shining with such unnatural fire.  You are getting on so well!  Now the cure must be prolonged—­for this unfortunate night affair threw you into a state of excitement, that was only the more dangerous from your not being conscious of it.  Happily, with care, your recovery will not, I hope, be very much delayed.”  Accustomed though she was to the audacity of this tool of the Congregation, Mdlle. de Cardoville could not forbear saying to him, with a smile of bitter disdain:  “What impudence, sir, there is in your probity!  What effrontery in your zeal to earn your hire!  Never for a moment do you lay aside your mask; craft and falsehood are ever on your lips.  Really, if this shameful comedy causes you as much fatigue as it does me disgust and contempt, they can never pay you enough.”

“Alas!” said the doctor, in a sorrowful tone; “always this unfortunate delusion, that you are not in want of our care!—­that I am playing a part, when I talk to you of the sad state in which you were when we were obliged to bring you hither by stratagem.  Still, with the exception of this little sign of rebellious insanity, your condition has marvellously improved.  You are on the high-road to a complete cure.  By-and-by, your excellent heart will render me the justice that is due to me; and, one day, I shall be judged as I deserve.”

“I, believe it, sir; the day approaches, in which you will be judged as you deserve,” said Adrienne, laying great stress upon the two words.

“Always that other fixed idea,” said the doctor with a sort of commiseration.  “Come, be reasonable.  Do not think of this childishness.”

“What! renounce my intention to demand at the hands of justice reparation for myself, and disgrace for you and your accomplices?  Never, sir—­never!”

“Well!” said the doctor, shrugging his shoulders; “once at liberty, thank heaven, you will have many other things to think of, my fair enemy.”

“You forget piously the evil that you do; but I, sir, have a better memory.”

“Let us talk seriously.  Have you really the intention of applying to the courts?” inquired Dr. Baleinier, in a grave tone.