"How can I tell?" responded the young wife, much embarrassed. "It is only an absurd and senseless whim on my part, doubtless. All I know is that you would make me happy, oh, very happy, if you would do what I ask, absurd and ridiculous as it may appear to you." "My poor darling," Yvon said, tenderly, after a moment's reflection, "in your condition, and nervous as you are, I can easily understand why you should, in spite of your good sense, be beset with all sorts of contradictory notions, and that you should be averse in the evening to what you most wished for in the morning. Do you suppose I should think of such a thing as blaming you for that?" "You are the best and most kind-hearted man in the world, Yvon!" exclaimed the young wife, her eyes filling with tears of joy, for she felt sure now that her husband was going to accede to her wishes. "There are not many men who would be so patient with the whims of a poor woman who knows neither what she wants nor why she wants it." "But in my character of physician I do, you see," replied Yvon, kissing his wife's brow tenderly. "Look," he added, glancing at the clock, "it is now nine o'clock; ten minutes to go, ten to return, and a quarter of an hour to remain at the ball,--it is a matter of three-quarters of an hour at most. I will be back here by ten o'clock, I promise you." "What, Yvon, you persist in your determination to attend this entertainment?" "Just to show myself there, that is all." "I beg you will not, Yvon." "What do you mean?" "Don't go." "What! not even for a few moments?" "Do not leave me this evening, I entreat you." "But, be reasonable, Jenny." "Make this slight sacrifice for my sake, I implore you." "But, Jenny, this is childish." "Call it childishness, idiocy, what you will, but don't leave me this evening." "Jenny, love, it breaks my heart to see you so unreasonable, for I am obliged to refuse you." "Yvon--" "It is absolutely necessary for me to show myself at this entertainment, though I need remain only a few moments." "But, my dear Yvon--" A flush of impatience mounted to Cloarek's brow, nevertheless he controlled himself, and said to his wife in the same affectionate though slightly reproachful tone: "Such persistency on your part surprises me, Jenny. You know I am not in the habit of having to be begged. On the contrary, I have always endeavoured to anticipate your wishes, so spare me the annoyance of being obliged to say 'no' to you for the first time in my life." "Great Heavens!" exclaimed the now thoroughly distressed woman, "to think of your attaching so much importance to a mere pleasure--" "Pleasure!" exclaimed Yvon, bitterly, his eyes kindling. Then restraining himself, he added: "If it were a question of pleasure, you would not have been obliged to ask me but once, Jenny." "But if you are not going for pleasure, why do you go at all?" "I am going for appearance's sake," replied Yvon, promptly.