"I ought not to speak to you again, by good rights! That was a very pretty trick you played us at Passy: to leave us on the pretext of smoking a cigar! Oh! monsieur would only be gone a few minutes; and it was eleven months ago!" "I was blameworthy, I know it; I treated you badly! But if you knew what events were in store for me that day in the Bois de Boulogne!" "My aunt bears you a grudge! Oh! she's furious with you." "I will make my peace with the venerable Madame Duponceau. And the first time that I go to the Bois de Boulogne----" "No, no; you needn't go to the Bois de Boulogne for that. My aunt isn't at Passy now; she didn't like it there. It's a place where you have to dress too much; it's enough to ruin you." "Ah! so the dear aunt has changed her villa once more? She is just a little bit fickle. And whither has she transported her sheep--that is to say, her rural Penates?" "To Saint-Mande. You see, we're just going to take the omnibus to go there." "What! you are going to your aunt's? How funny! It seems to be written that I shall always meet you, lovely creature, when you are on your way to your aunt's. But this isn't Saturday?" "No; but to-morrow is my aunt's birthday, Saint Elisabeth's day; and it's our duty to go to wish her many happy returns." "Ah! yes, I understand; Madame Duponceau's name is Elisabeth." "Do you want to make your peace with her? Here's an excellent chance. Come with us; you can congratulate my aunt, and dine at Saint-Mande. My husband is coming to join us there at five o'clock." Cherami reflected for some minutes. He remembered that Capucine was a corporal in the National Guard, and thought that he might perhaps consent to act as his second. That hope decided him; he smiled at his stout friend, and replied: "You do whatever you please with me. I had important business in Paris; but your husband can help me about it, I think. I am at your service. Ho for Saint-Mande!" "Good! you are very obliging. If you go on as you have begun, I will forgive you, too." These words were accompanied by a languishing glance of immeasurable length. It made Cherami shudder. "I am terribly afraid," he thought, "that she would like me to take up Ballot's duties." Madame Capucine called Jacqueline. An old servant, all twisted and bent, came limping along, with an enormous basket on her arm. "Tudieu!" thought Cherami; "here's a soubrette who will hardly divert the attention of the haberdasher's young clerk." "Is the 'bus there, Jacqueline?" "It's just comin', madame." "Let's hurry up and get seats, Monsieur Cherami. Will you take Aristoloche by the hand?" "With pleasure." "My! what a pleasant surprise this will be for Aunt Duponceau! She's very fond of you, you fickle man!" "She has no ingrate to deal with, in me."