f fluids"; as for me, I only know that I was fated to
fall in love with Marguerite, and that I foresaw it.

It is certainly the fact that she made a very definite impression upon
me, that many of my friends had noticed it and that they had been much
amused when they saw who it was that made this impression upon me.

The first time I ever saw her was in the Place de la Bourse, outside
Susse's; an open carriage was stationed there, and a woman dressed
in white got down from it. A murmur of admiration greeted her as she
entered the shop. As for me, I was rivetted to the spot from the moment
she went in till the moment when she came out again. I could see her
through the shop windows selecting what she had come to buy. I might
have gone in, but I dared not. I did not know who she was, and I
was afraid lest she should guess why I had come in and be offended.
Nevertheless, I did not think I should ever see her again.

She was elegantly dressed; she wore a muslin dress with many flounces,
an Indian shawl embroidered at the corners with gold and silk flowers,
a straw hat, a single bracelet, and a heavy gold chain, such as was just
then beginning to be the fashion.

She returned to her carriage and drove away. One of the shopmen stood at
the door looking after his elegant customer's carriage. I went up to him
and asked him what was the lady's name.

"Mademoiselle Marguerite Gautier," he replied. I dared not ask him for
her address, and went on my way.

The recollection of this vision, for it was really a vision, would not
leave my mind like so many visions I had seen, and I looked everywhere
for this royally beautiful woman in white.

A few days later there was a great performance at the Opera Comique. The
first person I saw in one of the boxes was Marguerite Gautier.

The young man whom I was with recognised her immediately, for he said to
me, mentioning her name: "Look at that pretty girl."

At that moment Marguerite turned her opera-glass in our direction and,
seeing my friend, smiled and beckoned to him to come to her.

"I will go and say 'How do you do?' to her," he said, "and will be back
in a moment."

"I could not help saying 'Happy man!'"

"Why?"

"To go and see that woman."

"Are you in love with her?"

"No," I said, flushing, for I really did not know what to say; "but I
should very much like to know her."

"Come with me. I will introduce you."

"Ask her if you may."

"Really, there is no need t