My pretty partner did not finish her sentence; the music stopped, the waltz was at an end. But, almost instantly, my partner uttered a joyful exclamation and dragged me toward the outer door of the ballroom, saying in an undertone: "Come, come; you are saved; here is Frédérique!" XI MADAME FRÉDÉRIQUE I have no need to say whether I allowed myself to be guided by my pretty brunette. We forced our way through the crowd, at the expense of a number of feet which came in our way; my partner held my hand, and I pressed the protecting hand with which she held it, so that it could not escape me. We reached the door of the ballroom just as a lady, newly arrived, was coming in. My conductress rushed to meet her, dragged her into a small room set apart for those who wished to converse, and, still without releasing my hand, led her into a window recess, apart from everybody, and said to her, laying her hand on her arm: "Frédérique, you have arrived in the nick of time to confer a great favor on monsieur, and on myself, who--who take an interest in monsieur." "What must I do? Tell me, my dear Armantine. I am all ready." "Listen: you know monsieur, you invited him to come to the wedding, where he was to ask for you; but as you had not arrived when he came, he didn't know to whom to apply. Now that you are here, you must introduce him. Do you understand?" "Perfectly! it's the simplest thing in the world! Take my hand, monsieur, if you please; for, as I am to present you, you must be my escort, for a few moments at least." "With great pleasure, madame!" "How lucky it is that I came without an escort, and that my husband has catarrh! It's a true saying that good fortunes never come singly." "You will condescend, then, madame, to----" "Why, it's all arranged; I am delighted to do anything to oblige Armantine. By the way, your name, monsieur, if you please; for, if I am to present you, I must call you by name." "Charles Rochebrune." "Very good! An advocate, I suppose? All the young men are advocates." "I am not in practice; but I studied for the bar." "That is quite enough. Now, let us go into the ballroom." My new acquaintance passed her arm through mine and leaned on it as if we had known each other for years. I felt altogether reassured; I walked with my head erect, my face had recovered its serenity, and I was no longer afraid to look about me. My partner left us as we entered the ballroom, and the lady on my arm asked me in an undertone: "Do you know my name?" "I know only that one by which she called you just now." "I am Madame Dauberny, eight years married; I am twenty-seven years old, and my husband forty-four; he is wealthy and has no business. He doesn't care for society, balls, etc., but I go about without him. I was born at Bordeaux, and my parents were of the same province. I think that you are well enough posted now, in case anyone should talk to you about me." "Yes, madame; thanks a thousand times!"