our _fete_ to-night."

Gustave and I stood facing each other; we had no need for introductions.
Gustave was the bachelor brother of my prospective father-in-law. He
happened also to be a particular friend of Louise's. I knew him and he
knew me. We looked calmly at each other. He was twice my age; it was not
for me to speak. The piece was set as if for a dramatic scene--Louise, in
her charming deshabille; my humble self, silent but unabashed; Gustave,
practically in possession of the situation. The moment was a critical
one, but though Nemesis had arrived it was not the Nemesis with a flaming
sword; it was the Nemesis with a somewhat more dangerous weapon, that of
French politeness, which scorns to provoke personal quarrels in the
presence of ladies but awaits to obtain reparation in good time in
accordance with the code of honour.

Bowing low to Louise and looking at me straight in the face, Gustave
politely remarked, "It happens that I am acquainted with monsieur the
English lieutenant. I regret that I have intruded and disturbed your
_tete-a-tete_ at such an hour of the morning. Pray forgive me, Louise. I
have no doubt monsieur the lieutenant and I will meet by and by. N'est-ce
pas, monsieur le lieutenant? Good night to you both." And, as Louise
moved, Gustave added, "Please, oh, please, do not bother. I know my way
out quite well. Au revoir." He drew the curtains aside and, turning
towards us, made the politest of bows and was gone.

"Louise," I said, as I took her hands in mine, "it is all my fault. Can
you forgive me?"

"Mon jeune ami," said Louise as she looked up at me. "First of all, give
me one kiss. Yes, I like that; just one more. So! Ah! Good! Now you said,
'Forgive me.' For that I love you, because it is what a man always should
say to a woman. I not only forgive you, but I think you are charmant. One
more kiss--eh! ah! nice. I never allowed anyone, since I remember, even
to suggest to me to ask forgiveness. Certainly not any man. Don't be
concerned; don't be unhappy. Gustave will come by and by and will ask me
to forgive him for his conduct to-night. He was rude; he was unpleasant
in front of me. He suggested, by his words, things that had not happened.
That was more than impolite; it was ungentlemanly, and you will see he
will be very sorry and come to me and ask me to forgive him. At this
moment I know not that I will forgive him. One more kiss. He is a good
friend, but by no means indispensable to me