She responded calmly, prudently, in the manner of a clever, self-possessed, and polite little woman. And I came daily, sometimes twice a day, for I knew when she would be alone. To give my calls a reasonable appearance I wrote innumerable letters to friends and telegraphed to an army of bare acquaintances a lot of impossible stuff. So that it was rumored in Paris that I had suddenly become deranged. Every day I say to myself: "To-day, my boy, you must make a declaration." But her cold manner suppressed upon my lips the words: "Mademoiselle, I love you." I invariably confined myself to stammering: "Be kind enough to give me a three-sou stamp." The situation gradually became unbearable. As the day for my return approached, I resolved to burn my ships behind me and to venture all to win everything. I walked into the office and wrote the following message: "Coquelin, Cadet,[15] 17 Boulevard Haussmann, Paris: I am madly in love with the little red-haired telegraph operator at Baisenmoyen-Cert." I tremblingly handed her the telegram. I expected at least, that her beautiful white complexion would effulge. But no! Not a muscle relaxed! In the calmest manner in the world she said: "Fifty-nine centimes, please." Thoroughly nonplused by this queenly serenity, I fumbled about in my pockets for the coin. But I could not find a sou. From my pocket-book I took a thousand-franc note and gave it her. She took the bank-note and scrutinized it carefully. The examination terminated favorably, for her face was suddenly wreathed in smiles, and she burst into a charming ripple of infectious laughter, displaying her marvelously handsome teeth. And then the pretty young mademoiselle asked in Parisian cadence, the cadence of the Ninth Arrondissement[16]: "Do you want the change?" FOOTNOTES: [15] Coquelin Cadet (the Younger) is Ernest Coquelin, younger brother of Constant Coquelin, who is known as Coquelin Ainé (the Elder). Both are famous actors belonging to the Comédie Française and have visited America. The younger enjoys the greater popularity because of his jokes and the reputation he has made with his clever monologues, for the most part written as well as interpreted by himself. [16] Paris is divided into twenty Arrondissements, or boroughs, each having its own mayor and borough hall. The 9th Arrondissement includes part of the Grand Boulevards, and the Opera House. INDEX BY TITLES TITLE AND AUTHOR PAGE ACCURSED HOUSE, THE, Émile Gaboriau, 1415 ANCESTOR, THE, Paul Bourget, 1605 AT THE PALAIS DE JUSTICE (At the Pa'lay de Justeese'), Alphonse Daudet, 1319 BAL MASQUÉ, A (A Bal Maskay'), Alexandre Dumas 1105 BEAUTY-SPOT, THE, Alfred de Musset, 1185