Frédérique looked at me; I believe that she was on the point of rushing toward me; but she repressed that impulse, which came from her heart, and I went away, determined to make no attempt to see her again. I had learned that one can no more rely on a woman's friendship than on her love; that there must inevitably be a strain of inconstancy or caprice in all their affections. On the day following my visit to Madame Dauberny, Mignonne came as usual to bring back my linen; but, contrary to her custom, she took another package and prepared to go away again at once. "Don't you propose to stay and work a while to-day?" I asked her. She seemed embarrassed, and hesitated before replying; at last she faltered, lowering her eyes: "Monsieur--it is--I am--I am afraid that staying here so often to work--I am afraid I am in your way." "What is the source of that fear to-day? Haven't I told you that I could receive in my bedroom anybody with whom I wished to be alone?" "Yes, monsieur." "Why this fear, then? What new idea have you got into your head?" "It didn't come into my head." "Whose, then, pray?" "Monsieur--the fact is--that--it was day before yesterday that a lady came to see you. Didn't your servant tell you?" "Certainly he did." "That lady sat down; she stayed a long time with me, and examined me very closely. She had a strange way about her. When she mentioned you, she said just _Rochebrune_, or _Charles_. She is very intimate with you, it seems." "Well! what then?" "After looking at me so hard that I didn't know which way to turn, she began to talk to me. She asked a lot of questions about the beginning of our acquaintance. She asked me how long I'd known you, and--and--oh! a lot of things I don't dare tell you. I just told her the truth--all you had done for me, and all I had to be grateful to you for. You are not angry, are you, monsieur, because I told her all that?" "Why should it make me angry?" "The strange part of it was that the lady didn't seem pleased to hear me say all--all the good of you that you deserve! She kept shrugging her shoulders--I saw it plainly enough! And at last she cried: 'This is all very noble, it's magnificent; but it's easy to see what the end of it will be. When a young woman installs herself in a young man's bachelor apartment, there must be in the bottom of her heart a sentiment stronger than her care for her reputation; it must be that she isn't afraid to be looked upon by the world as that young man's mistress.'" "She said that?" "Yes, and then she went away, saying: 'I don't want to make you unhappy, mademoiselle; I simply mean to give you a little advice.'--Oh! but she did make me awfully unhappy!" "And is that the reason why you don't propose to work here to-day?" "Oh! it isn't on my own account, monsieur; it's on yours. That lady says it will keep all your friends from coming to see you. I wouldn't for the world have you quarrel with anyone."