"Why, it seems to me quite natural that I should come to my father's house. To be sure, it doesn't happen very often: I have so little time to myself! When one goes much into society, one must make and receive so many calls, dress, give orders when one entertains. And, by the way, we give a large party in six days, to inaugurate our winter evenings.--I came to tell you, Adolphine, so that you may have time to prepare a bewitching costume, do you hear? I will advise you, of course, for you don't keep very well abreast of the fashions.--But I thought that you were abroad, Monsieur Gustave?" "I have just come from Spain, mademoiselle--I beg your pardon--madame. I have been away about five months." "Indeed! then that is why you look so brown; but that doesn't do you any harm--far from it. Did you enjoy yourself?" "Enjoy myself? not exactly that, madame; but that wasn't what I went for." "They say that the women are very pretty in Spain; that their eyes, especially, are dazzlingly bright. Is it true, Monsieur Gustave? Did you see any eyes in that country that excel those of us Frenchwomen?" "I saw none, madame, which could be compared to----" The young man checked himself, and added: "I saw none which made me forget those of the Parisian women." "Good! that is very polite! And you are settled in Paris now?" "I do not know, madame; that will depend on--my uncle." "Well, monsieur, while you are here, if it will afford you any pleasure to come to our evenings at home, Monsieur Monleard, I am sure, will be delighted to see you. At all events, he allows me to invite whom I choose--and he does the same. I greet his friends courteously, he does as much for mine; in that way, we always agree. Stay! next Thursday, as I was saying to my sister, we give a large party; there will be everything: music, dancing, cards, and supper; it will last all night, and we shall have lots of fun. You must come. We shall have all Paris--that is to say, all the best artists, all the celebrities. Will you come?" Gustave was struck dumb by this invitation, and especially by the light, careless tone in which it was offered; he was more distressed than gratified, and answered, with a low bow: "No, madame; I shall not have the honor of accepting your invitation." "Indeed! And why not, may I ask, monsieur?" "Why, because--at this party--in your husband's house--it seems to me, madame, that I should be out of place; and I am sure beforehand that I should take no pleasure in it. Pray receive, madame, my thanks and my adieux." Thereupon Gustave went up to Adolphine, who had listened without a word, and pressed her hand, saying in an undertone: "Adieu, my only friend! Ah! your father is right: it is much better that I should not come here again." Gustave left the room. Adolphine had difficulty in concealing her grief. Fanny, meanwhile, looked at herself in a mirror, saying: