For some time I did not allow myself to be tempted. However, I was beginning to believe that one might as well do as others do, especially when one has lost that desire to flutter about the fair sex, that longing for every pretty woman, which is so natural to young men. There was only one for whom I had had any longing, for many weeks past--but she had deceived me, so I must needs forget her as well as the rest. I had noticed for several days that my sister seemed even more content than usual; I often saw her whispering with Déneterre, who in the end always did what she wanted him to. They extolled still more warmly the joys of wedlock, but they said nothing more about any of the young women I had already seen; they evidently had some new hope; no doubt, I should soon learn what was in the wind. "I shall try to make myself look very nice to-night," said Amélie one day. "You will go with me, won't you, dear Eugène? It's Madame Lépine's evening,--she was the elector's wife,--and they say there'll be a good many people there." "But I seem to see the same persons every time." "Ah! there'll be some new faces for you to-night; Madame de Pontchartrain has returned from her place in the country, and she will be there." "Who is this Madame de Pontchartrain?" "A most respectable person, who has an income of seven thousand francs and is seventy years old." Very respectable, no doubt; but I could not see why I should be especially interested in Madame de Pontchartrain. Doubtless I should learn the answer to the enigma in the evening. After dinner madame set about dressing. I had thought that Parisian women were coquettes, but since I had lived in the provinces I had learned to do justice to the belles of the capital, who passed two hours less before their mirrors than the beauties of a small town. Déneterre went off to play pool, and I walked in the garden while my sister was dressing; for the first time I was vexed by her slowness; I was in a hurry to arrive at Madame Lépine's--I, who ordinarily accompanied my sister solely to oblige her; but one sometimes has presentiments. My sister was ready at last; Déneterre returned, and we started. We soon reached our destination; in a small town no two houses are far apart. We were announced in due form; for in the provinces you may not enter a salon in good society without being announced. I glanced around at the guests and saw no unfamiliar faces. I was almost angry; but while Madame Lépine was arranging the different games, I saw my sister go to her and heard her say: "My brother won't play cards to-night; don't count on him for boston or reversis; he prefers the games." I had not said anything of the sort to her; what did it mean, that she took that step without consulting me? I was just on the point of demanding an explanation, when the servant announced: "Madame de Pontchartrain and her niece."