ARGUMENT OF THE THIRD ACT

Madame Evrard seems on the point of succeeding. Her ingenious contrivances hâve at last persnaded the vieux câibatcdre that the life of an old bachdor is the most wretched thing in the world, and that she, hersel^ 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 hoosehold, 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 rid of the butleys/nx^S^.