Yes, Madame, the adventure of the poor woman has been followed up: we have learnt her history, and we know that she has told nothing but the truth. She has seven children; that she is in the utmost distress; that she was formerly a milliner; that the immense credit she gave many young ladies occasioned her to become a bankrupt; that she divested herself of every thing for the sake of her creditors, &c.

This recital of Miss Bridget's, on her return from the poor woman's, has sensibly affected Adelaide. But, said she, all those young people who bought on credit, finished by paying? Not at all, replied Miss Bridget; the major part are unable. – But how so? – A tradesman who sells on credit charges higher, that he may receive interest for his money; which is but just. A woman who buys in that manner has no right to cheapen, and commonly receives the goods without asking the price; which causes her, at the end of a year or two, having frequently no more than six or seven thousand livres a year allowed her, to have bills amounting to fifteen or twenty thousand; consequently she cannot pay them. – Does not the tradesman summon her? – Her husband is obliged to pay her bills, but he has them taxed; he obtains a long delay, and in all this time the unfortunate dealer, pressed by his own creditors, unable to gather in his debts, is quickly ruined. – It is nevertheless shocking for a woman to be the author of such a calamity! For instance, you know Madame de Germeuil? – Yes. – She is in Provence, and yet her husband is here, which appears very odd to me. The reason is, they have quarrelled, and on account of the enormous debts she has contracted; for she paid nobody.