M. Drouet walked along the Place with us. We passed under the arch, and entered the Rue de la Basse Cour. Billaud lived some distance away, and Guillaume almost in the country; so those three young men went to the “Hotel du Bras d’Or,” and although the brothers Leblanc wished to give them a dinner for nothing, they insisted on paying for everything that they had. The table at which they dined was on the other side of the street, just opposite to ours. The clock of St. Gengoulf gave the signal for dinner. The two first toasts proposed were “The King!” and “The nation!” They then drank another “To the health of those who, believing them to be in danger, had flown to their succor.” Sophie ate but little, in spite of my remonstrances. Now and then, her father broke out into violent abuse against the young nobles, and I saw the tears trembling on her eyelashes every time that he did so. We crossed the bridge thrown over the River Aire. Two streams of promenaders were continually passing—the one set mounting up, the other coming down. The Place du Grand Monarque was splendidly illuminated. The tables were not in any one’s way, being, for the most part, piled in front of the door of the church. The Place du Grand Monarque being smoother and better paved than the Place Latry and, besides, not having the dispiriting influence of a cemetery, was chosen for the ball room. The signal for the dance was given by a joyous peal from the church bells, to which violins and clarionets replied, and a quadrille was speedily formed. My partner took my arm for the second dance, but suddenly complaining of illness, she implored me to take her home. I was not an experienced dancer, but under Sophie’s tuition I got on so well, that I tried all I could to dissuade her from retiring; but she said, with a sad smile, “Do not ask me to remain, Réné,” and so I was obliged to comply with her request. I gave her my arm, and we retraced our steps to the house. M. Gerbaut had heard all about the fracas in the Rue des Réligieuses, and was very well pleased that we had given the young gentlemen a lesson. Sophie, who had her arm in mine, heard all that he said to me, with downcast eyes, and gave no sign of approbation or otherwise, but I felt her shudder under her father’s words. As I was leaving, “Mademoiselle,” said I, “I go back to-morrow, with my friends, probably before you awake; so permit me to say good-bye this evening, and to tell you before M. Gerbaut, what pleasure I feel in having made your acquaintance.” “And I, M. Réné,” said she, “like you as a friend, and am well disposed to love you as a brother.” “Very well, my children,” said Father Gerbaut, “embrace each other and say good-bye.” Sophie turned to me both cheeks, which I kissed with a feeling of ineffable pleasure. She then retired to her own room; I followed her with my eyes to the door, when she turned, and gave me a parting glance, and a parting smile.