"I did not speak of that, to avoid recalling unpleasant things; you were most kind, a thousand times too kind; but that did not surprise me, and I ask your pardon again for that girl, who didn't know what she was saying." "I assure you that she didn't offend me in the least; far from it! her observations were so amusing, and her expressions so classic! But you are reconciled, I hope? My departure should have restored peace at once." "No; that is where you are mistaken. We did not make peace. Rosette went away in a rage, and I haven't seen her since." "Really? You surprise me. And haven't you made any attempt to see that fascinating grisette again?" "No, not any." Frédérique looked at me out of the corner of her eye. To change the subject, I asked her if her husband had returned. "Not yet. You seem greatly interested in my husband's movements. I confess that that puzzles me a good deal." "I beg you to believe that my interest in him has no connection with you." "Oh! I am sure of that." "Do you know that your husband's friend, he who called himself Saint-Germain, has lost his place?" "I did not know it; but that explains why he comes here almost every day to inquire if Monsieur Dauberny has returned; indeed, he asked to see me once." "Do not receive that man, madame; I take the liberty of giving you that advice." "I will follow your advice, monsieur, which, by the by, is in perfect accord with my previous intentions. If I dared to give you advice, in my turn, I would say----" "Well?" "Oh, no! no! I won't say it! I prefer that you should follow the impulses of your heart; and then, too----" Frédérique began to laugh, and I was somewhat annoyed; but she refused to say anything more. I took my leave, almost offended with her; but I pressed her hand affectionately. Several more days passed, and still no news of Rosette. I was hurt by her desertion; she was very pretty, and she loved me, or, at all events, she pretended to, which often amounts to the same thing. If she was jealous, was not that a proof of affection? After all, I had let her go without saying a word, without trying to detain her. "Come, come!" I said to myself; "no false shame! It is my place to make advances." Rosette had said to me: "If you should happen to have anything important to say to me, go to my aunt's--whichever one I am staying with--and ask for me. There's no danger; they won't see anything but smoke." So I determined to hunt up Rosette, at her various aunts' abodes, praying that I should have less difficulty than Jason had in his quest of the Golden Fleece. Rosette, by the way, had not a golden fleece, and was to be congratulated therefor.