"There's a vast difference between a fan and this; people will say that I lead you on to do foolish things." "Ah! I shall be only too happy to do them, if your love is the reward." Madame Baldimer did not reply, but she allowed Albert to take her hand and cover it with kisses. He tried to put his arm about her waist; but she gently repulsed him, saying: "But how did you succeed in finding out that it was this very shawl that I wanted?" "Didn't you tell me that it was like one that Madame Plays wore at one of Count Dahlborne's receptions?" "Yes, I remember----" "Well! I called on Madame Plays and asked her to show me the beautiful cashmere she wore that day." "But I thought that you had quarrelled with that lady." "I presented her with a bouquet, and she forgave me." "Just for the bouquet?" "Why, yes." "Hm! I imagine that the shawl must have cost you something more." "You are mistaken." "Poor Herminie! if she knew that she owed your visit solely to your desire to give me a shawl like one of hers! Ha! ha! ha! she would be frantic! What traitors men are, aren't they?" "We are driven to it sometimes." "Ha! ha! I like to think of going to see her with this shawl over my shoulders--she was so proud of hers! she will be struck dumb." Madame Baldimer continued to laugh. Albert tried to give a more sentimental turn to the conversation, and, as a woman is not usually cruel when she laughs, he tried to take advantage of her merriment to renew certain manœuvres which would, he hoped, lead him to a complete victory. But his adversary, laughing all the while, defended herself with a dexterity which did not indicate that her heart was disposed to surrender. Albert was beginning to consider that Madame Baldimer prolonged his torment a little too far, when the doorbell rang again. "Who can have come so late to call upon you?" cried Albert; "it is almost twelve o'clock, and I thought that you would receive nobody but me to-night." "Really, I don't expect anybody, unless possibly it is Count Dahlborne. That man pesters me with his attentions. He has probably heard of my return, and he loses no time----" "But a man doesn't call at this time of night, unless he is on very good terms with a woman!" "Ah! monsieur, that suspicion----" "Very well! if it's the count, send him away--don't receive him." Before Madame Baldimer could reply, the maid announced Count Dahlborne, and the Swede instantly made his appearance. Albert's features contracted. Madame Baldimer welcomed the count with an affable smile; and he, as cold and formal as ever, saluted her with his usual stiffness, imprinted a kiss on her hand, and sat down beside her, precisely as if Albert were not present. The young man amused himself tearing his gloves, while his reflections took this turn: "This must come to an end; I didn't give her a shawl that cost five thousand francs for the pleasure of seeing this man."