"What! has she been ill?" inquired Cloarek, anxiously, leaving the cradle. "Do you really feel uneasy about her?" "Not now, my dear, but you know how extremely nervous and excitable she is. She resembles me only too much in this respect," added Jenny, with a melancholy smile. "And I, far from regretting that the dear child is so impressionable, rejoice at it, on the contrary, for I hope she will be endowed with the same exquisite sensibility of feeling that you are." The young woman gently shook her head. "This is what happened. Our big Newfoundland dog came into the room, and frightened the poor little thing so that I had great difficulty in quieting her afterward." "I am thankful it was nothing serious. But how have you passed the day? You were asleep this morning, and I would not wake you. You know how much solicitude I always feel about your health, but it is even more precious to me than ever now," he added, smiling tenderly upon her. Jenny slipped her little frail white hand into her husband's. "What courage your love gives me," she murmured, softly. "Thanks to that, I can even bear suffering bravely." "Then you have not been feeling as well as usual to-day?" exclaimed Yvon, anxiously. "Tell me, Jenny, why didn't you send for the doctor?" "I did not need to, for have I not a great and learned physician in whom I have perfect confidence, and who I am sure will not refuse me any attention I ask?" "Yes, I understand. I am that great and learned physician, I suppose." "And could I select a more careful and devoted one?" "No, certainly not; so go on and consult me, Jenny." "My dear Yvon, though I have not undergone any very severe suffering to-day, I have experienced and I still experience a sort of vague uneasiness, as well as an unusual depression of spirits. Oh, don't be alarmed, it is nothing serious; besides, you can cure me completely if you will, my beloved doctor." "How? Tell me at once." "But will you do it?" "Why, Jenny,--what a question!" "I repeat that my cure depends absolutely and entirely upon you." "So much the better, then, for, in that case, you are cured. Go on; explain, my charming invalid." "Remain with me, then." "Have I any intention of leaving you?" "But the entertainment this evening?" ventured the young wife, hesitatingly. "I dressed early, you see, so as to be able to remain with you until the very last moment." "Don't leave me this evening, Yvon." "What?" "Give up this fête for my sake." "You cannot mean it, surely." "Stay at home with me." "But, Jenny, you yourself insisted that--" "That you should accept the invitation. That is true. This very morning I was rejoicing that you were going to have this diversion,--you who lead such an extremely quiet life." "Then why have you changed your mind so suddenly?"