ly referred to some letters, doubtless read
without very much anger, since they were thus recalled, Gerfaut took
courage.

"Yes," said he, "I am staying at La Fauconnerie; but I can not stay there
any longer, for I think your servants make the tavern their
pleasure-ground. I must come to some decision. I have two propositions to
submit to you: the first is, that you will allow me to see you
occasionally; there are numerous promenades about here; you go out alone,
so it would be very easy."

"Let us hear the second," said Clemence, with a shrug of the shoulders.

"If you will not grant my first, I beg of you to persuade your aunt that
she is ill and to take her with you to Plombieres or Baden. The season is
not very far advanced; there, at least, I should be able to see you."

"Let us end this folly," said the Baroness; "I have listened patiently to
you; now, in your turn, listen to me. You will be sensible, will you not?
You will leave me and go. You will go to Switzerland, and return to the
Montanvert, where you met me for the first time, which I shall always
remember, if you, yourself, do not make it painful for me to do so. You
will obey me, Octave, will you not? Give me this proof of your esteem and
friendship. You know very well that it is impossible for me to grant what
you ask; believe me, it is painful to me to be forced to refuse you. So,
say farewell to me; you shall see me again next winter in Paris. Adieu!"

She arose and extended her hand; he took it, but, thinking to profit by
the emotion betrayed by Madame de Bergenheim's voice, he exclaimed in a
sort of transport:

"No! I will not wait until next winter to see you. I was about to submit
to your will; if you repulse me I will consult only myself; if you
repulse me, Clemence, I warn you that tomorrow I shall be in your house,
seated at your table and admitted to your drawing-room."

"You?"
"I!"

"To-morrow?"

"To-morrow."

"And how will you do it, pray?" said she, defiantly.

"That is my secret, Madame," he replied, coldly.

Although her curiosity was greatly aroused, Clemence felt that it would
be beneath her to ask any more questions. She replied with an affectation
of mocking indifference:

"Since I am to have the pleasure of seeing you tomorrow, I hope you will
permit me to leave you today. You know that I am not well, and it is
showing me very little attention to allow me to stand here in this wet
grass."

She raised her skirt a tri