As she said this, she passed an arm about my waist and leaned against my shoulder; her head was close to my face; and when, as she talked, she raised her eyes and fixed them on mine, our glances mingled. We were so close together that I felt her breath on my cheek. "Ah!" I thought; "this woman must be very cold, very indifferent, to treat me as if I really were her father or her brother!"--But we were heated by the champagne, and it seemed to affect us differently. Frédérique saw in me only a friend, to whom she could show herself as she really was; whereas I saw in her a lovely woman. Certainly it did not occur to me to make love to her; but the more freely she abandoned herself to her natural unreserve, the more seductive she seemed to me; and I felt that she was putting my friendship to a severe test by almost taking my breast for a pillow. "To return to this lady--your former friend--she told me that you were engaged to be married some time ago, and that your engagement was suddenly broken off for some reason unknown to her. She asked you the reason, and you refused to tell her; and she has an impression that that was the beginning of your rupture with her." "That is possible." "But some things that a man doesn't tell to his mistress, he may confide to an intimate friend. What was it that broke off your marriage? Tell me." Frédérique's last words suddenly dispelled my gayety; a painful memory drove all before it. I sighed, and held my peace. "Well! you don't answer?" cried Frédérique, after a long silence. "The fact is--I am terribly sorry, my charming friend, but you have made an unfortunate choice for your first question, and I cannot tell you what you wish to know." "Ha! ha! ha! that's a good joke!" "What are you laughing at?" "Why, don't you see? here are two intimate friends who have sworn to have no secrets from each other, and neither of us can--or chooses to--answer the first question the other asks! It's almost always so, my friend, with the plans we make. Let us never bind ourselves to anything--that's the safest way; and then, no matter what happens----" "Mirlidon, don, don--don, don!" "Ah! mon Dieu! How that frightened me! I thought that the baron was awake; and, frankly, I am quite willing that he should sleep." "He is dreaming that he's singing, that's all." "Look you, my little Charles, there's one thing I will tell you. You think my behavior very strange, no doubt--perhaps very blameworthy?" "Why, I pray to know?" "Let me speak. I know very well that I offend the proprieties, that I run counter to the prejudices of the common herd; that people indulge in numberless comments upon me, which are rarely favorable; but I--snap my fingers at them! Listen." XXI CONFIDENCES