"In other words, you are still captivating; indeed, if such a thing were possible, I should say that you are even lovelier than you were. As for your dress--what does that matter? You adorn whatever you wear." "Oh! monsieur le comte, you flatter me; you don't mean what you say." "Do I not? I mean it and feel it; you are an enchantress!" "Italy is where you must have seen the pretty women!" "Yes, there are many of them there; but I say again, they can't hold a candle to Parisian women in general, and to you in particular." "Oh! hush! Are you no longer in love with my sister?" "Your sister? Faith! no; she refused my hand; I bear her no ill-will for it; for, frankly, I am very glad of it now." "Why so, pray?" "Oh! I can't tell you here." "Very well! then you must come to see me, and tell me." "Do you give me leave to come to pay my respects to you?" "More than that, I count upon it." "You are adorable." It seemed to Gustave that Fanny's conversation with the count was unconscionably long. He could not see all the coquettish little grimaces with which the widow accompanied her words, because she had taken pains to turn her chair so that she was not facing the man she was to marry; but he thought it very strange that Fanny could pass so long a time without thinking of him, without wanting him near her. The young man walked through the salon, gazing at the young widow, and sometimes stopping beside her. She did not appear to pay the slightest heed to him. Being unable longer to control his impatience, he decided to interrupt their conversation, and said aloud to Fanny: "My dear Fanny, I went to-day to see that apartment on Rue Fontaine--you know--that I spoke to you about this morning?" The widow was perceptibly annoyed. However, she replied, with a surprised air: "What! what apartment? I don't remember. Oh! yes, yes, I know what you mean." "Well, the apartment is very well arranged and very attractive. I am confident that you will like it; but you must look at it immediately, for the chances are that it will be let very soon." "Very well, very well; I will go to look at it.--Oh! Monsieur de la Beriniere, you went to Naples, didn't you? Did you see Vesuvius vomit flame? That is something I am very curious to see. Do tell me what a volcano is like?" Gustave walked away, far from satisfied. It seemed to him that his future spouse was too deeply interested in Italy. He returned to Adolphine, lost in thought, and sat down beside her. She said nothing, but she looked at him and read his thoughts. Monsieur Gerbault succeeded at last in talking with the count. Whereupon Gustave returned to Fanny, and said to her: "Aren't we going? You said that you should go home early." But the little widow, who did not choose to have the count see her go away with Gustave, replied: "It's too early; my father would be angry if I should go now." "But you said----" "Mon Dieu! you seem to be in a great hurry to go!"