e held out his hand.

"Your two visits have given me pleasure, Armand," he said; "they make me
hope that you have thought over things on your side as I have on mine."

"May I ask you, father, what was the result of your reflection?"

"The result, my dear boy, is that I have exaggerated the importance of
the reports that had been made to me, and that I have made up my mind to
be less severe with you."

"What are you saying, father?" I cried joyously.

"I say, my dear child, that every young man must have his mistress, and
that, from the fresh information I have had, I would rather see you the
lover of Mlle. Gautier than of any one else."

"My dear father, how happy you make me!"

We talked in this manner for some moments, and then sat down to table.
My father was charming all dinner time.

I was in a hurry to get back to Bougival to tell Marguerite about this
fortunate change, and I looked at the clock every moment.

"You are watching the time," said my father, "and you are impatient to
leave me. O young people, how you always sacrifice sincere to doubtful
affections!"

"Do not say that, father; Marguerite loves me, I am sure of it."

My father did not answer; he seemed to say neither yes nor no.

He was very insistent that I should spend the whole evening with him and
not go till the morning; but Marguerite had not been well when I left
her. I told him of it, and begged his permission to go back to her
early, promising to come again on the morrow.

The weather was fine; he walked with me as far as the station. Never had
I been so happy. The future appeared as I had long desired to see it. I
had never loved my father as I loved him at that moment.

Just as I was leaving him, he once more begged me to stay. I refused.

"You are really very much in love with her?" he asked.

"Madly."

"Go, then," and he passed his hand across his forehead as if to chase
a thought, then opened his mouth as if to say something; but he only
pressed my hand, and left me hurriedly, saying:

"Till to-morrow, then!"

Chapter 22

It seemed to me as if the train did not move. I reached Bougival at
eleven.

Not a window in the house was lighted up, and when I rang no one
answered the bell. It was the first time that such a thing had occurred
to me. At last the gardener came. I entered. Nanine met me with a light.
I went to Marguerite's room.

"Where is madame?"

"Gone to Paris," replied Nanine.

"To Paris!"

"Yes