"A great thing that was! to punch an impertinent blackguard's head! Anybody would do as much for a poor little woman who's being insulted--unless he has no blood in his veins! How is it with you, Charles, are you all right? Have you left the country for good?" "I don't know; that depends. Look you, my friend, I too am in love, and I don't know yet whether my love is returned." "Oho! Do you mean it? you are in love, too? Oh! she'll love you, I'll answer for that; it is impossible for anyone not to love you!" "God grant it! Meanwhile, I will admit that I haven't dined; and as it's the fashion in our day for lovers to dine, because dieting would not advance their affairs, I propose to regale myself. Have you dined?" "Oh! long ago. I came here to wait for Mignonne, but she must have gone away earlier than usual." I was in a hurry to dine, because I intended to go immediately after to Madame Dauberny's; as she had returned only a few hours ahead of me, it was impossible that she should not be at home. Ballangier went out with me; he would have left me when we reached the street, but I asked him to walk with me as far as the boulevard; and on the way I learned with pleasure that his conduct was still all that could be desired, that his love did not cause him to neglect his work, and that he had become one of his employer's head workmen. We had almost reached the boulevard, when, as we passed a brightly lighted shop, Ballangier started back, touched my arm, and said, pointing to a man who had just passed us: "There he is! That's the man! He didn't see me, but I recognized him." "Who is he?" "The man I thrashed so soundly for taking liberties with Mignonne." I looked at the person whom Ballangier pointed out to me; his figure impressed me, it reminded me of someone. I ran back and overtook him, then turned about and faced him. I was not mistaken: it was Monsieur Dauberny. I do not know whether he recognized me. He must have been surprised by the way I stared at him; but he simply frowned and went his way, quickening his pace. I let him go, and returned to Ballangier, who had stopped and was waiting for me a few steps away. "Well, Charles, you wanted to see that man; you succeeded, didn't you?" "Yes, and I recognized him perfectly." "Recognized? The deuce! do you know the old reprobate?" "Ah! if he were no worse than that! But he's an infernal villain! You did well, I assure you, to deliver Mignonne from his persecutions. Poor girl! If you knew of what that man is capable!" "Really?" "Continue to watch. The sight of that man makes me tremble for her! But the day of reckoning must come some time!" "Explain yourself! Do you want me to run after the fellow and arrest him?" "No, no! that's not the way I must deal with him. But we will watch him, and an opportunity will soon come--with that man they must come frequently--and then----" "Then we will annihilate him, won't we?"