While Monsieur Plays indulged in this reflection, his wife looked fixedly at Albert, and there was in her eyes an animation, a flame, which indicated something very different from anger. On his side, the young man bestowed a very tender glance on her, and said: "Come, don't be cross with me any more, but promise to show it to me." "No; I should have to admit you to my boudoir." "I am so anxious to see it." "Indeed! you want to see it, do you?" said Herminie, with a sly smile. Monsieur Plays moved about on his chair, saying: "Come, my dear love, as it will give him pleasure, do show it to him. Bless my soul, how good that bouquet smells!" Herminie was touched; she smiled at the young man in a very significant way, and held out her hand to him. "Oh! I am too weak," she cried; "you abuse my weakness--ah! Dieu! Well, give me your hand and escort me to my apartment. But I won't show it to you, I tell you!" Albert took the hand that Madame Plays offered him, and, with a bow to her husband, left the room with her by the little door. Monsieur Plays seemed overjoyed, and whispered in Albert's ear as he passed: "I know her; I promise you that she'll show it to you." XVIII A SECRET PACT.--THE PÂTÉ DES ITALIENS It was only nine o'clock in the morning, and Célestin de Valnoir was already ringing at Madame Baldimer's door. Rosa, her maid, answered the bell, and smiled at the young man as if she were expecting him. "This is a very early hour for me to call on your mistress," said Célestin, assuming a presumptuous, self-sufficient air; "but I received a note from Madame Baldimer last evening, in which she informed me of her return to Paris and requested me to call this morning before nine; and I am always prompt at a rendezvous with a lovely woman." "Yes, monsieur; madame expects you, for she told me to admit you as soon as you came." "Madame Baldimer is still in bed, I suppose?" "No, monsieur; madame got up early, because she expected you." "Mon Dieu! that was no reason! I could have talked with her just as well in bed--indeed, I should have preferred that. But, no matter, take me to her." The maid led Célestin through several rooms, and ushered him into her mistress's presence. Madame Baldimer was seated in a reclining chair, dressed in a velvet robe de chambre; her hair was dressed very simply and kept in place on top of her head by a sort of net; plainly, she was not yet dressed for the day, and was not at all anxious to make a favorable impression. None the less, she was extremely pretty in that négligé; but women are never more seductive than when we see them unadorned except by their natural charms; it very rarely happens, however, that they are willing to allow themselves to be seen in that condition. Madame Baldimer greeted Célestin with a faint smile, and said, pointing to a chair near her own: "You are on time; that is well done of you--I like that. Promptness is so rare in this world. Pray be seated."