Edward was surprised beyond words by the girl's behavior. He paced the floor of his apartment in great agitation. At times he was tempted to go up to Georgette's room himself; but she might refuse to admit him, and he did not choose to make an exhibition of himself before the other tenants; so he went to bed at last, saying to himself: "She will come to-morrow; I shall see her and find out why she refused my presents; for I had not as yet asked her for anything in exchange. To be sure, the request may be foreseen. Ah! Mademoiselle Georgette, you will not resist me forever! I believe that I am really in love with her! At all events, my honor is involved in the affair now. I must not be the one to pay for that dinner with my friends." All night the viscount was haunted by the image of the girl who had refused his splendid gifts. He rose early, attempted to smoke, and threw away several cigarettes as soon as he lighted them. The things he had sent to Georgette, he ordered taken into the small salon; and as he gazed at the rich fabrics spread out on a couch, he said to himself: "Perhaps she doesn't like these colors! But the shawl is lovely! No, that cannot be her reason. Can it be that she really means to remain virtuous? But there was that dream of hers, in which she imagined that she was very rich. The little minx has something in her head, and she will have to tell me what it is." At last, about noon, Mademoiselle Georgette arrived. Lépinette ushered her at once into the small salon, where the viscount was impatiently awaiting her. She bowed to him, with a charming smile; while he, on the contrary, pretended to be sulky. He pointed to a chair, saying: "Be seated, mademoiselle." "Your cigar cases are finished, monsieur; here they are." "Very well! but I am not thinking about them." "Your servant told me that you wanted them." "My servant is an ass!--However, you are well aware that the cigar cases are only a pretext for seeing you. What is the use of beating about the bush, when one can speak frankly?" "Why, no, monsieur, I didn't know----" Edward pointed to the objects spread out on the couch, and asked abruptly: "Why did you refuse those?" "Why did you send them to me?" she rejoined, in the same tone. The young man did not know what reply to make; he began to laugh, and finally exclaimed: "Gad! one can never get the last word with you! Come, charming girl, let us play with our cards exposed--what do you say?" "I don't know how to play cards." "Oh! you know perfectly well what I mean by that. However, I will explain my meaning literally. I adore you." "So you told me before." "In love, one may be allowed to repeat one's self; indeed, that is one of its great charms. I was saying, then, that I adore you." "And I say that I don't believe you." "I will compel you to believe me. You don't expect to pass your whole youth without knowing what love is, do you?"