"You may be perfectly sure, monsieur, that that young man's alleged passion for me will never be satisfied. But it is my pleasure that it shall not die out--on the contrary, that it shall become more and more ardent. Whether it is coquetry, hatred, caprice, or some other sentiment, that prompts my action--that is my secret, monsieur, and I do not choose to tell you anything more. Now, if you do not care to assist my designs any further, go, monsieur; it is useless for you to stay here any longer." The lovely widow rose as she spoke, but Célestin seized her arm and forced her to resume her seat. "Mon Dieu! madame, how quick you are! how prompt in forming your resolutions! Be calm, I implore you! there is no rupture in our relations; I am your slave, as always. Speak! command! I am at your service. Too happy to wear your chains, as I hope that some day my love will be crowned." "Very good," rejoined Madame Baldimer, with a smile; "and now, answer me. I have been away ten days; what has Albert done during that time?" "Am I to conceal nothing?" "That was our agreement, as you know." "He has seen Madame Plays again." "Madame Plays---- Ah! very good; I can guess why." "That woman has been his mistress; and when a man returns to a former mistress, it is very easy to guess why." Madame Baldimer bestowed a glance on Célestin which signified: "You are no better than a fool!" but she contented herself with that pantomime, and said simply: "What else?" "He has called here several times to find out whether you had returned from the country." "I know that; my concierge told me." "Your absence has seemed very long to him--especially as you didn't tell him where you were going." "Ah! he would have liked to know--and so would you, wouldn't you? But go on." "Why, that's all." "What! no new intrigues, no escapades, no card parties?" "No, nothing--for the last few days we have been so virtuous!" "No husbands deceived, no rivals to dread?" "Nothing of the sort. There was a wager on the subject of a very pretty grisette, who is courted by a messenger; but Albert refused to go into it. Indeed, the thing isn't so easy as I thought at first. This very morning, I believed I had won my bet; my plans were carefully laid--the girl ought to have stepped into a very clever trap that I had laid for her. But, not at all; she avoided it! Those little grisettes sometimes have the presumption to insist on being virtuous. We should be very much to be pitied, if we hadn't the ladies of fashionable society to fall back on."