I looked at the house so long that I began by thinking of it as mine, so perfectly did it embody the dream that I was dreaming; I saw Marguerite and myself there, by day in the little wood that covered the hillside, in the evening seated on the grass, and I asked myself if earthly creatures had ever been so happy as we should be. “What a pretty house!” Marguerite said to me, as she followed the direction of my gaze and perhaps of my thought. “Where?” asked Prudence. “Yonder,” and Marguerite pointed to the house in question. “Ah, delicious!” replied Prudence. “Do you like it?” “Very much.” “Well, tell the duke to take it for you; he would do so, I am sure. I’ll see about it if you like.” Marguerite looked at me, as if to ask me what I thought. My dream vanished at the last words of Prudence, and brought me back to reality so brutally that I was still stunned with the fall. “Yes, yes, an excellent idea,” I stammered, not knowing what I was saying. “Well, I will arrange that,” said Marguerite, freeing my hand, and interpreting my words according to her own desire. “Let us go and see if it is to let.” The house was empty, and to let for two thousand francs. “Would you be happy here?” she said to me. “Am I sure of coming here?” “And for whom else should I bury myself here, if not for you?” “Well, then, Marguerite, let me take it myself.” “You are mad; not only is it unnecessary, but it would be dangerous. You know perfectly well that I have no right to accept it save from one man. Let me alone, big baby, and say nothing.” “That means,” said Prudence, “that when I have two days free I will come and spend them with you.” We left the house, and started on our return to Paris, talking over the new plan. I held Marguerite in my arms, and as I got down from the carriage, I had already begun to look upon her arrangement with less critical eyes. Chapter XVII Next day Marguerite sent me away very early, saying that the duke was coming at an early hour, and promising to write to me the moment he went, and to make an appointment for the evening. In the course of the day I received this note: “I am going to Bougival with the duke; be at Prudence’s to-night at eight.” At the appointed hour Marguerite came to me at Mme. Duvernoy’s. “Well, it is all settled,” she said, as she entered. “The house is taken?” asked Prudence. “Yes; he agreed at once.” I did not know the duke, but I felt ashamed of deceiving him. “But that is not all,” continued Marguerite. “What else is there?” “I have been seeing about a place for Armand to stay.” “In the same house?” asked Prudence, laughing.