"As it happens, my dear friend," he said, "I learned that you were to fight a duel this morning, and I came here to tell madame, because, knowing that she has a--most affectionate regard for you, I thought that--that she might perhaps prevent the meeting." "Why don't you say, also, that it is because you are in the habit of coming here to report to madame everything I do, and that, abusing my confidence in you, you have been false to our friendship in the hope that that would serve your love." Célestin bit his lips and lost something of his assurance. "Oh! upon my word," he faltered, "what an idea! Someone has slandered me. I am not capable---- But you probably have much to say to each other. I do not wish to disturb your tête-à-tête. Au revoir, Albert!--my respects, madame!" And Célestin left the room, his departure being apparently unnoticed by the two persons he addressed. Madame Baldimer kept her eyes fixed on the floor, and seemed to be absorbed by the emotion caused by Albert's unexpected arrival. He gazed earnestly at that woman whose beauty had set his heart on fire, and tried to find in the expression of her face something that betrayed the falseness of her heart. After a prolonged scrutiny of her features, which led to no discovery, unless it were this--that a perfectly regular face affords much less scope than another for the observations of the moralist, Albert turned his eyes elsewhere, and chance willed that they should fall on Madame Baldimer's feet, which, at that moment, she had not remembered to keep out of sight, as she usually did. We have already said that her foot was the fair American's weak point, and that, like the peacock, her pride did not attach to that part of her person, which, for that reason, she almost never showed. Albert was amazed at the sight of that broad, flat foot, so entirely out of harmony with the lady's slender figure; and the longer he looked at it, the more conscious he became of a feeling of something like satisfaction, of well-being; his heart seemed to be relieved of a weight; his anger vanished, and he ended by laughing heartily, saying: "Mon Dieu! I was mad! Gad! if I had only seen it sooner!" Madame Baldimer looked up when she heard Albert laugh, and saw that his eyes were fastened on her feet. A deep flush overspread her face, she hurriedly rearranged her dress, so that it covered even the soles of her shoes; but it was too late, the effect was wrought. Albert rose and bowed to the fair widow, saying in a mocking tone: "On my honor, madame, if I had seen them sooner, I assure you that I would not have fought for you!" Madame Baldimer's eyes gleamed with a furious expression difficult to describe. Having said this much,--and he could have wreaked no more cruel vengeance on a coquette,--Albert left the house and hurried to his own home. At sight of him, the concierge uttered a joyful exclamation, which was echoed by one of his father's servants, who was in the courtyard.