I regretted that I had only about half an act to see; with more time, I might have been able to enter into conversation, to make myself agreeable, to begin an acquaintance. It seemed to me that I made a favorable impression; she bestowed divers very soft glances on me; she was seated so that she could look at me without being seen by her companion. The ladies are so accustomed to that sort of thing, and so expert at it! "Ah!" I thought; "if ever I marry, I will always sit behind my wife; for then---- Even so; but if somebody else sits beside her, can I prevent the feet and knees from doing as they will? It is most embarrassing." "This play isn't so bad," said the lady at last, to her neighbor; "the acting here is not at all amiss." "Yes, yes;" nothing but _yes_. Ah! he was surely her husband. I listened intently, for she was evidently speaking for my benefit. "I was horribly bored last night at the Français; Mars didn't act. Aren't we going to the Opéra to-morrow? There's to be an extra performance." "As you please." "After all, it's too hot for enjoyment at the theatre. If there wasn't always such a medley in the public gardens on Sunday, I would rather go there than shut myself up in a theatre. What's your idea?" "It makes no difference to me." The lady made an impatient gesture. The gentleman did not notice it, but moved nearer the front of the box. I rose to look at the scenery, and my hand happened to come in contact with the lady's arm, but she did not move. "These theatres are wretchedly ventilated; there's a very unpleasant odor here," she said, after a moment. I thought of my coat tails, which, in truth, smelt anything but sweet. I could not help smiling, but I instantly offered her a smelling bottle. She accepted it, and when she returned it did not seem offended because I pressed the hand with which she presented it to me. At that moment the curtain fell. "The devil!" I muttered to myself; "what a shame! I came too late. Mademoiselle Caroline is responsible for it. But what am I saying? If it had not been for her, I should still be on Boulevard Montmartre, gazing at the stars; it was because I followed her that I came in here to see the last act; and by running after a grisette I have fallen in with a _petite-maîtresse_ who perhaps is inferior to the grisette! How one thing leads to another! It was because something was thrown on my coat that this lady complained of the unpleasant odor, and that I offered her my smelling bottle and squeezed her hand. After this, who will tell me that there is no such thing as fate? If I should make this gentleman a cuckold, it would certainly be the fault of Mademoiselle Caroline, who refused to listen to me." We left the box. I assisted my neighbor to climb over the benches, which were stationary for the convenience of the public. But the husband took her arm, and I was obliged to fall behind.