"This young man proved to be M. de Senneterre. He bowed to his mother; Madame de la Rochaigue introduced him to me. He made a few courteous remarks, and then walked his horse along by the side of our carriage while we drove several times around the race-track. "It is needless to say that scarcely a handsome equipage passed without an interchange of friendly bows between the occupants and M. de Senneterre, who seemed to be a general favourite. "During the conversation he had with us, he was very gay and a trifle sarcastic, but not the least spiteful. "A short time before he left us, we met a magnificent carriage, drawn by four horses. Its sole occupant was a man to whom many persons bowed with great deference. This man bowed very low to M. de Senneterre, who, instead of returning the salute, surveyed him with the utmost disdain. "'Why, that was M. du Tilleul that just passed, M. de Senneterre!' exclaimed Madame de la Rochaigue, evidently much surprised. "'Yes, madame.' "'He bowed to you.' "'True, madame.' "'But you did not return his bow.' "'I no longer bow to M. du Tilleul, madame.' "'But everybody else does.' "'Then they do very wrong, in my opinion.' "'But why, M. de Senneterre?' "'You ask me that, with his recent affair with Madame--' "Then suddenly checking himself, probably on account of my presence, he continued, addressing Madame de la Rochaigue: "'You have heard about his conduct with a certain marquise?' "'Of course.' "'Well, in my opinion, a man who behaves with such cowardice and cruelty is a scoundrel, and I do not bow to a scoundrel.' "'Still, he is received everywhere,' remarked Madame de Mirecourt. "'Yes, because he owns the handsomest house in Paris, and everybody wishes to attend his entertainments.' "'Oh, you are entirely too particular, M. Gerald,' said Madame de Mirecourt. "'I too particular?' exclaimed M. de Senneterre, laughing. 'What a frightful slander! I will convince you to the contrary. Look at that little green brougham coming this way, and that--' "'Gerald!' cried Madame de Senneterre, reminding her son of my presence with a look, for I had involuntarily turned to glance at the vehicle to which M. de Senneterre had called attention, and which was occupied by a young and extremely pretty woman, who seemed to be following the young duke with her eyes. "His mother's warning exclamation, and the look she cast at me, made M. de Senneterre bite his lips, but it was with a smile that he replied: "You are right, mother. It would make angels too unhappy to know that there are such things as demons in the world." This half apology was indirectly addressed to me, I suppose, for two of the ladies glanced at me, smiling in their turn, and I felt greatly embarrassed. "As we were leaving, Madame de Senneterre asked: "You dine with me to-day, do you not, Gerald?" "No, mother, and I must ask you to pardon me for not having told you that I had made another engagement."