I was well pleased that she proposed to set down the baron first. To no purpose did he say again and again that no one was expecting him, that he was not sure that he wanted to go home; Madame Dauberny replied simply: "I am very sorry; but I can't drive you about all day." Before long, she ordered the coachman to stop; the carriage door was opened and she offered the baron her hand, saying: "Adieu! until I have the pleasure of seeing you again." Herr von Brunzbrack decided at last, although with great reluctance, to alight; but when he was on the ground, he looked at me and beckoned: "Vell! vhy haf not you come, too?" "Because Monsieur Rochebrune is going in another direction, and I am going to drive him part of the way." As she spoke, Frédérique motioned to the coachman to drive on, paying no heed to the baron, who declared that he wanted to stay with me. The poor Prussian stood on the same spot, and glared at me in a far from friendly fashion. "I am not sorry to be rid of the baron," said Frédérique, "for I want to talk with you; if you are really in no hurry, suppose we take a turn in the Bois?" "That will give me great pleasure, madame, for I too long to talk with you." "Take us to the Bois de Boulogne, _cocher_.--Ah! if the poor baron knew this, he would be frantic!" "Yes, for he's terribly jealous; he sees a rival in every man who has the privilege of knowing you." "The man believes that everybody's in love with me! he is too stupid! But let us say no more of the baron and his love, which disturbs me very little. Let us come to what interests you. You want to know, of course, what has become of Armantine? Before a stranger, I would not betray her incognito; but to you, it seems to me that I may safely tell where she is, so that you can go there and condole with her. Armantine is living at Passy, on the Grande Rue, near the forest; she has taken the name of Madame Montfort. That is what I had to tell you." "Is that all, madame?" "Why, I should suppose that it was a great deal to you, to know what has become of the lady of your thoughts." "Frédérique, are you willing that we should be friends again?" As I spoke, I held out my hand. She turned her head away, and for some seconds seemed to hesitate; then she gave me her hand, and replied in a voice that was not quite steady: "Well, yes, I am willing; sincere friends; all except the _tutoiement_; for I realize that that is impossible; anyone who heard us would form wrong conclusions." "Very good. But no more mystery between us; absolute and mutual confidence. If you knew how deeply I have regretted having angered you! You were so severe with me! You spoke to me so frigidly, and sometimes with a touch of irony even."