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"Do not condemn her too quickly, monsieur," she, said, with an

impulse of remorse "And not upon my words For, as I say, I--

hated her"

Hanaud nodded reassuringly, and she resumed: "I was surprised, and I asked mademoiselle what she would do

without her confederate But she laughed, and said there would be

no difficulty That is partly why I think there was no seance held

last night Monsieur, there was a note in her voice that evening

which I did not as yet understand Mademoiselle then took her bath

while I laid out her black dress and the slippers with the soft,

noiseless soles And now I tell you why I aht--why Mlle Celie never meant there should be

one"

"Yes, let us hear that," said Hanaud curiously, and leaning

forith his hands upon his knees

"You have here, monsieur, a description of how mademoiselle was

dressed when she went away" Helene Vauquier picked up a sheet of

paper from the table at her side "I wrote it out at the request

of M le Colanced

through it as she continued "Well, except for the white lace

coat, monsieur, I dressed Mlle Celie just in that way She would

have none of her plain black robe No, Mlle Celie reen chiffon over soft

clinging satin, which set off her fair beauty so prettily It left