The tone in which I uttered the last words indicated a purpose to carry out my threat. He did not wait for me to repeat it, but opened the door, and, running back through his little reception room, jumped into bed, where he wrapped himself up in the bedclothes, leaving nothing exposed but his nose and his great eyes, which he turned from side to side with an air of uneasiness, not venturing to look at me. I followed; the first thing I saw on entering his bedroom was a dozen or more bunches of orange blossoms, like those Nicette used to leave at my door; they were symmetrically arranged on my neighbor's dressing table. That sight tore my heart, but I had promised myself to be philosophical, so I sat down beside Raymond's bed and tried to speak very calmly. "How are you this morning, Monsieur Raymond?" He gazed at me in amazement. "Was it to inquire about my health that you broke my bellrope and threatened to break down my door?" "Oh! you must know that that was a joke! I had a question I wanted to ask you.--You have some very pretty bouquets there; it seems that you too are fond of orange blossoms?" "Yes, yes; I like their odor very much; it's good for the nerves, and I am very nervous, you know." "There's a bond of sympathy between us, for these bouquets bear a surprising resemblance to those that adorn my bedroom--and for which you once expressed your admiration." "Yes, that's true; indeed, I remember now that that was what gave me the idea of having some myself." "And are your flower dealer and mine the same?" He did not know what to say, and his head disappeared for a moment under the bedclothes. "Well, neighbor?" "Oh! I haven't any regular flower dealer; I go sometimes to one, sometimes to another." "Come, come, Monsieur Raymond, why fence with me; is this the confidence of which you claim to set me an example? Are you afraid of making me angry? Don't be afraid; I ceased to think about little Nicette a long while ago." At that, he took his whole head out from beneath the bedclothes, and looked at me with a surprised and pleased expression. "What! do you mean it? you have ceased to think about the little flower girl?" "I never thought about her!" "Well! do you know, I almost suspected as much! Besides, we have Madame de Marsan, who must occupy a good deal of our attention!" "Never mind Madame de Marsan; tell me about your intrigue with Nicette." "Oh! it isn't a long story! I confess that I am madly in love with her! You know how pretty she is!" "A saucy face!" "The deuce! saucy! you call her saucy! you are hard to please." "Well?" "I go to make love to her almost every night. At first she was a little inclined to be wild; but I was so skilful at wheedling her, that now she can't get along without me, and I am sure that she adores me." "Has she told you so?" "Almost; besides, those things don't need to be told; they can be seen. I know women so well!" "You are more fortunate than I. So you have triumphed?"