He was to meet her at eleven on the terrace by the fish-pond, and had determined to come to an understanding with her, but his heart choked him when he saw her coming toward him along the gravel path. He bought some bread at the stall for the fish; and talking to her he grew so happy that he feared to imperil his happiness by reproaches. They wondered if they would see the fabled carp in whose noses rings had been put in the time of Louis XIV. The statues on their pedestals, high up in the clear, bright air, were singularly beautiful, and they saw the outlines of the red castle and the display of terraces reaching to the edge of the withering forest. They were conscious that the place was worthy of its name, Fontainebleau. The name is evocative of stately days and traditions, and Mildred fancied herself a king's mistress--La Pompadour. The name is a romance, an excitement, and, throwing her arms on Morton's shoulders, she said: 'Morton, dear, don't be angry. I'm very fond of you, I really am.... I only stop with the Delacours because they amuse me.... It means nothing.' 'If I could only believe you,' said Morton, holding her arms in his hands and looking into her brown eyes. 'Why don't you believe me?' she said; but there was no longer any earnestness in her voice. It had again become a demure insincerity. 'If you were really fond of me, you'd give yourself.' 'Perhaps I will one of these days.' 'When... when you return to Barbizon?' 'I won't promise. When I promise I like to keep my promise.... You ask too much. You don't realise what it means to a woman to give herself. Have you never had a scruple about anything?' 'Scruple about anything! I don't know what you mean.... What scruple can you have? you're not a religious woman.' 'It isn't religion, it is--well, something.... I don't know.' 'This has gone on too long,' he said, 'if I don't get you now I shall lose you.' 'If you were really afraid of losing me you would ask me to marry you.' Morton was taken aback. 'I never thought of marriage; but I would marry you. Do you mean it?' 'Yes, I mean it.' 'When?' 'One of these days.' 'I don't believe you. ... You're a bundle of falsehoods.' 'I'm not as false as you say. There's no use making me out worse than I am. I'm very fond of you, Morton.' 'I wonder,' said Morton. 'I asked you just now to be my mistress; you said you'd prefer to marry me. Very well, when will you marry me?' 'Don't ask me. I cannot say when. Besides, you don't want to marry me.' 'You think so?' 'You hesitated just now. A woman always knows. ... If you had wanted to marry me you would have begun by asking me.' 'This is tomfoolery. I asked you to be my mistress, and then, at your suggestion, I asked you to be my wife; I really don't see what more I can do. You say you're very fond of me, and yet you want to be neither mistress nor wife.'