"Is it possible! he's a lucky fellow! And he's been in Paris a week, and I had no idea of it! Hallo! everything seems to be topsy-turvy here! Have you been buying all these things?" "Yes." "Are you going to a ball?" "Better than that: I am going to a wedding." "To a wedding! and I am not invited! Who's to be married, pray?" Adolphine was hesitating over her reply, when the door opened and Gustave appeared. When she saw the man whom she had twice promised to marry, Fanny dropped into an easy-chair, threw back her head, and pretended to faint. Adolphine became deathly pale; but a glance from Gustave reassured her. He went to her side, took her hand, and pressed it affectionately in his. Fanny, seeing that nobody thought of coming to her assistance, decided to recover; so she straightened herself up, and said in a tremulous voice: "Ah! mon Dieu! Monsieur Gustave, your presence caused me such a thrill of emotion! I almost fainted." Gustave bowed gravely to Fanny, saying, in an indifferent tone: "Madame is well, I trust?" "Why, no, I have been ill, I have suffered a great deal. You must find me changed, do you not?" "I fancy we shall have fine weather to-day," said Gustave, turning to Adolphine, who whispered: "She knows nothing." "Very well! we will give her a surprise." "What does this mean? He doesn't listen to me," thought Fanny. She sprang to her feet and went up to the young man, saying: "I have a great deal to say to you, monsieur. I have some important explanations to make to you. I hope that you will be kind enough to escort me home, where we can talk without disturbing anyone." Adolphine clung to Gustave's arm, as he replied with perfect tranquillity: "Madame, I am very sorry to refuse; but I have determined never to enter your house again, and I do not require any explanation." The little widow bit her lips in her wrath, while Adolphine breathed more freely. "What, monsieur! Do you mean that you are afraid to come to my house?" said Fanny, trying to smile. "I know very well, madame, that I have nothing to fear from your presence now. But I have no reason for calling upon you. Allow me to say, further, that I have every reason to be surprised at your invitation." Fanny paced the floor, with every indication of the most intense annoyance; at last she returned to Gustave, and said in a determined tone: "I tell you again, monsieur, that I must speak to you alone, that I have some things to make known to you, which I can tell only to you. As you absolutely refuse to come to my house, I will speak to you here. My sister will be good enough, I trust, to leave us for a moment.--Oh! I will not abuse monsieur's good-nature." Adolphine was sorely disturbed; she seemed not at all inclined to leave her sister alone with Gustave; but he took her hand and put it to his lips, saying: "Since madame insists upon it, go, my dear Adolphine; but don't go far, for our interview will not be a long one."