“Yes, to be sure, when there are other persons whom we are in a hurry to see, and for whom we forget even the simplest rules of courtesy.” “My dear fellow, I warned you--she is very angry with you.” “Mon Dieu! how disagreeable you are to-day, uncle!” Monsieur Roquencourt laughed and drank his tea; I did the same. Caroline said nothing more, and did not turn her eyes in my direction. The uncle bore the whole weight of the conversation. After a few moments, Caroline said to him: “Have you heard from Madame Blémont this morning, uncle?” “No, not yet.” “That lady has a most distinguished air; I like her appearance very much.” “Yes, she has very beautiful eyes; she reminded me of Mademoiselle Contat in----” “Uncle, would it not be polite for you to go in person to ask how she passed the night?” “I! why my dear girl, that lady is all alone; would she care to receive a visit from a man?” “Oh! you have reached the age, uncle, when visits from you are of no consequence.” “What do you say, niece? Do you know that I am still quite capable of making conquests? And if I chose----” “But I am sure that you do not choose, my dear uncle. Go up to that lady’s room, I beg you.” “I will go, but I will not answer for the consequences.” When her uncle had left us, Caroline turned to me, and said in a tone which denoted a depth of feeling that I had not supposed her to possess: “Why were you going away so suddenly and without seeing me? Tell me why, I beg you.” “Urgent business summoned me to Paris.” “I do not believe that; you had no letter yesterday. What had I done to you to cause such an abrupt departure? Had I said anything which hurt you? I am sometimes so foolish, so thoughtless----” “No, mademoiselle, far from it. I am overwhelmed by your kindness, your indulgence.” “My kindness! my indulgence! anyone would think that you were talking to your tutor! But why were you going, then?” “I cannot tell you, mademoiselle.” “Aha! so monsieur has secrets. All right! I prefer to have you tell me that. But my portrait--did you intend to carry that away?” “No, mademoiselle, I should have had it delivered to you.” “You would have sent it to me! but it is not finished; there is a great deal still to be done on it.” At that moment the uncle returned and said: “The lady is not visible yet. I expected as much. But she is greatly touched by our thoughtfulness and feels a little better this morning.” “I am glad of that. I will go to see her.--By the way, uncle, when do we return to Paris?” “When! upon my soul! that is a sensible question! I do exactly as she wishes, and she pretends to wait upon my desires. Ha! ha! that’s a good joke!” “Well, it seems to me that we might pass another week here. And if Monsieur Dalbreuse’s business were not so urgent, we would invite him to accept a seat in our carriage, and take him to Paris with us.--Well, monsieur, will you tell us what you think of my uncle’s proposition?”