"I should not like you to think me indifferent to the pleasure of dancing with you, mademoiselle; I meant to have asked you for the first waltz; but, alas! Miss Suzannah tells me that you do not dance!" "You have come to the rescue, Andre," chimed in my aunt. "I was just endeavouring to convert the young lady to our customs by telling her that she would be taken for a little savage." At this expression, which she had so often heard me utter, Kondje-Gul smiled and cast a furtive glance at me. Miss Suzannah supported my aunt, and the victory was already won. They were beginning to play a waltz, so Maud took her hand and forced it into mine; I clasped her by the waist and led her off. During the first few turns Kondje-Gul trembled with excitement; I felt her heart beating violently against my bosom, and I confess I was nearly losing my own self-possession. Once we found ourselves some way removed from the rest, and, with her head resting on my shoulder, she whispered in my ear: "Do you still love me, dear? Are you satisfied with me?" "Yes, but take care!" I answered hurriedly: "you are too beautiful, and all their eyes are fixed upon us." "If they only knew!"----she added, with a laugh. I stopped a moment, to let her take breath. Each time any couple came near us, we appeared to be engaged in one of those ball-room conversations the only characteristic of which is their frivolity, and as soon as they were out of hearing, we talked together in a low voice. "You naughty fellow," she said, "I have not seen you in the Bois for three days!" "It was from motives of prudence," I replied. "And now prepare yourself for a surprise. Your new house is ready and you can go there the day after to-morrow." "Do you really mean it?" exclaimed she, "Oh! what happiness! Then you find me sufficiently Europeanized?" "You coquette! you are adorable!----What a nice fan you have, mademoiselle!" added I, changing my manner as Maud came close to us. "Do you think so," she answered, "Is it Chinese or Japanese?" Maud having passed we resumed our conversation, overjoyed at the idea of constantly seeing each other again. The waltz was just ending and I was obliged to conduct Kondje-Gul back to my aunt. "Listen!" she remarked, "whenever I put my fan up to my lips, that will mean 'I love you'----You must come back soon to invite me for another dance, won't you?" "My dear girl, I can't." "Why?" "Because it is not usual, and would be remarked," I replied. "But I don't want to dance with anyone else!" she said, almost with a terrified look. I had not for once thought of this very natural consequence of our little adventure, and I must confess that the idea of anyone else asking her after me took me quite by surprise--like some improbability which no mortal could conceive. "What shall I do?" she said.