"He's--he's my friend, a cabinetmaker, a good fellow--but he gets drunk too often. I came to the ball with him, and he was to dance with me; but he didn't, and he left me here. That ain't a nice way to treat me!" "As Monsieur Ronfland left you, it seems to me that you're at liberty to do what you choose, and to accept my arm and a glass of punch; you can't stay alone in this crowd, you need an escort." "It ain't very good fun to be alone, that's true. I don't understand Ronfland; he left me near the orchestra, and he says: 'Stay here, and I'll come right back.'--That was more than an hour ago, and he hasn't come back." "He's forgotten you." "Oh! I'm sure he's gone to get a drink." "Without you? That isn't polite. Of course, you have the right to do the same." "Faith! yes, so I have. So much the worse for Ronfland! After all, it's his own fault!" Dupont put the little brunette's arm through his and took her to the café; he ordered punch and filled a glass for his new acquaintance, who drank it readily, but kept repeating: "After this you'll dance with me, won't you, monsieur? For one don't come to a ball to go without dancing." And Dupont, who was not at all anxious to dance, continued to pour out the punch, as he replied: "Yes, by and by; we have time enough. There are too many people here now; we should be too warm; it's better to drink punch." But suddenly a young man, with a cap cocked over one ear, rushed up like a bomb, brought his fist down on the table, upset the punch bowl and glasses, and boxed the little brunette's ears, crying: "Ah! that's how you behave, Joséphine! I've caught you at it! I bring you to the ball, and you play tricks on me with other men! I'll bring you to the right-about, you vile street walker!" Mademoiselle Joséphine began to weep. "You're still drunk, Ronfland," she cried. "I don't play tricks on you; you ought not to leave me; you're a drunkard; I don't love you any more!" But Dupont was not of a temper to allow a woman who was in his company to be maltreated; he rose, picked up the empty bowl, which was rolling about the table, and with it struck Ronfland on the nose. "Parbleu!" he said; "my nose was smashed the other day, and I'm not sorry to have my revenge." But the young man in the cap, infuriated by the blow, leaped upon Dupont, who lost his balance, and they rolled together on the floor, still striking each other. The police appeared and separated them. Ronfland and his companion were turned out of doors, and Dupont was obliged to pay for what was broken. As he had cut himself severely in the face while rolling about on the broken glass, he lost no time in taking a cab and returning to his hotel. "I've got what I deserve!" he said to himself; "I have gone about it the wrong way. I certainly shall not go to any more balls in search of amusement!" III MADEMOISELLE GEORGETTE