ARGUMENT OF THE THIRD ACT

Madame Evrard seems on the point of succeeding. Her ingeoious contrivances hâve at last persuaded the vieux célibataire that the life of an old bachelor is the most wretched thmg in the world, and that she, herself, is the best person to take the place of the nephew and cousins whose ingratitude makes him so misérable. But Laure, just installée as a member of the household, gives her considérable anxiety; she looks upon her in the light of a possible rival, and longs to dismiss her; although, compelled as she is to keep on good terms with Ambroise, she dares not at once get nd of the h^ÙM^^ protégée.