meant: "I
surrender, I am yours when you like and where you like." He began to
laugh, and Madeleine asked: "What is it?"

"Nothing," he answered; "I was thinking of a priest I met just now, and
who had a very comical mug."

Du Roy arrived to the time at the appointed place next day. On the
benches of the park were seated citizens overcome by heat, and careless
nurses, who seemed to be dreaming while their children were rolling on
the gravel of the paths. He found Madame Walter in the little antique
ruins from which a spring flows. She was walking round the little circle
of columns with an uneasy and unhappy air. As soon as he had greeted
her, she exclaimed: "What a number of people there are in the garden."

He seized the opportunity: "It is true; will you come somewhere else?"

"But where?"

"No matter where; in a cab, for instance. You can draw down the blind on
your side, and you will be quite invisible."

"Yes, I prefer that; here I am dying with fear."

"Well, come and meet me in five minutes at the gate opening onto the
outer boulevard. I will have a cab."

And he darted off.

As soon as she had rejoined him, and had carefully drawn down the blind
on her side, she asked: "Where have you told the driver to take us?"

George replied: "Do not trouble yourself, he knows what to do."

He had given the man his address in the Rue de Constantinople.

She resumed: "You cannot imagine what I suffer on account of you, how I
am tortured and tormented. Yesterday, in the church, I was cruel, but I
wanted to flee from you at any cost. I was so afraid to find myself
alone with you. Have you forgiven me?"

He squeezed her hands: "Yes, yes, what would I not forgive you, loving
you as I do?"

She looked at him with a supplicating air: "Listen, you must promise to
respect me--not to--not to--otherwise I cannot see you again."

He did not reply at once; he wore under his moustache that keen smile
that disturbed women. He ended by murmuring: "I am your slave."

Then she began to tell him how she had perceived that she was in love
with him on learning that he was going to marry Madeleine Forestier. She
gave details, little details of dates and the like. Suddenly she paused.
The cab had stopped. Du Roy opened the door.

"Where are we?" she asked.

"Get out and come into this house," he replied. "We shall be more at
ease there."

"But where are we?"

"At my rooms," and here we will leave them to their _tete-a-te