remained smilingly indifferent.

The next day, as she was to go and invite Madame Walter, he resolved to
forestall her, in order to catch the latter alone, and see if she really

cared for him. It amused and flattered him. And then--why not--if it
were possible?

He arrived at the Boulevard Malesherbes about two, and was shown into
the drawing-room, where he waited till Madame Walter made her
appearance, her hand outstretched with pleased eagerness, saying: "What
good wind brings you hither?"

"No good wind, but the wish to see you. Some power has brought me here,
I do not know why, for I have nothing to say to you. I came, here I am;
will you forgive me this early visit and the frankness of this
explanation?"

He uttered this in a gallant and jesting tone, with a smile on his lips.
She was astonished, and colored somewhat, stammering: "But really--I do
not understand--you surprise me."

He observed: "It is a declaration made to a lively tune, in order not to
alarm you."

They had sat down in front of one another. She took the matter
pleasantly, saying: "A serious declaration?"

"Yes. For a long time I have been wanting to utter it--for a very long
time. But I dared not. They say you are so strict, so rigid."

She had recovered her assurance, and observed: "Why to-day, then?"

"I do not know." Then lowering his voice he added: "Or rather, because I
have been thinking of nothing but you since yesterday."

She stammered, growing suddenly pale: "Come, enough of nonsense; let us
speak of something else."

But he had fallen at her feet so suddenly that she was frightened. She
tried to rise, but he kept her seated by the strength of his arms passed
round her waist, and repeated in a voice of passion: "Yes, it is true
that I have loved you madly for a long time past. Do not answer me. What
would you have? I am mad. I love you. Oh! if you knew how I love you!"

She was suffocating, gasping, and strove to speak, without being able to
utter a word. She pushed him away with her two hands, having seized him
by the hair to hinder the approach of the mouth that she felt coming
towards her own. She kept turning her head from right to left and from
left to right with a rapid motion, closing her eyes, in order no longer
to see him. He touched her through her dress, handled her, pressed her,
and she almost fainted under his strong and rude caress. He rose
suddenly and sought to clasp her to him, but, free for a moment, s