"Ah! you recognized him, did you?" I watched Frédérique closely, for a multitude of ideas had suddenly rushed into my mind; something told me that Madame Dauberny knew more about Ballangier than she chose to tell me. I think that she must have divined my thoughts, for she rose hastily and said: "It is getting late, my friend. We start to-morrow--is that settled?" "I ask nothing better." "Bring your servant; we have room enough for him. I have only a gardener and my maid there. Will Mignonne come to you to-morrow?" "I think so, as she didn't come to-day." "Wait for her and tell her that you are going to the country; then come to me, and we will start together." "Very good. I will go home to make my preparations, and to-morrow I will call for you. _O rus! quando te aspiciam?_" "I can guess what that means. You will see the fields to-morrow, my friend." On reaching home, I gave orders to Pomponne to prepare for our departure. I might take very few things to Fontenay, and send him to Paris whenever I needed anything. But that was just what I wanted to avoid, because I was acquainted with Monsieur Pomponne's loquacity. It was ten o'clock when Mignonne arrived. Since Frédérique had opened my eyes to the young woman's secret sentiments, I had dreaded that interview; I was deeply moved, and it grieved me to think of causing her pain. Poor child! from whom I was fleeing because she loved me! We run after so many women who do not love us! Mignonne seemed to me even paler and more depressed than usual. However, she smiled when she saw me. I went to meet her and held out my hand. "Mignonne, I was waiting to say good-bye to you." She looked anxiously at me, did not take the hand I offered her, and faltered: "What! to say good-bye? Are you going on a journey?" "Oh, no! I am just going into the country--not very far away. I am not leaving you for long." "Ah! you are going to the country? You have never said anything about it. Is it something you have just thought of?" "I have been thinking of it for several days. I am in the habit of going into the country every year for a time; it does me good." "If it's for your health, you are wise. I will go away, then, and come again when you return--when you send me word." "No; on the contrary, if you wish to please me, to do me a favor, you will continue to come here. I am taking my servant with me, but I will leave you my keys, which you will hand to the concierge when you go away. I intrust the care of my establishment to you! There are many things to be done here. I would like to have my curtains renovated, and the furniture of my salon and bedroom covered. You will find money in the desk. Be good enough to attend to all these details. I take the liberty of looking upon you as if you were my sister; does that offend you?" "Offend me! no, indeed! You are too kind to me! you always find pretexts for keeping me busy, for heaping kindnesses on me. Oh! I see it plainly enough!"