She had to try to pacify him, and to show him that one must not act too rashly. Mama, for her part, would have been quite contented to settle the affair at once. She had a dread of the machinations of the Puymarin clique. I didn't share her fear in the least. I recognized clearly what an effect I had produced, and I felt that I was mistress of the situation. So I reminded mama of her promises, and of my resolution only to come to a decision when I had carefully weighed the pros and cons, and said that I had only seen him twice--each time in evening dress. I was determined to see him twice in the daytime, and in frock coat. I knew how Cousin Mathilde had managed. She saw her husband twice in the daytime--once in the Louvre and once at the Hippodrome. As there was no Hippodrome where I could see Adrien, I would substitute the museum at Cluny. I was determined, however, to have my two interviews in broad daylight. So Madame Mercerey arranged an accidental meeting at the Louvre for to-day at three o'clock punctually, in front of Murillo's "Virgin." _The same day. Five o'clock._ We have just returned from an hour's stroll in the galleries, where we did not pay much attention to the pictures. I imagine that he is surprisingly ignorant of pictures. But then I have no thought of marrying an art critic. He has _such_ a fine figure, and dresses _so_ well. He speaks very little, is very reserved, but very correct; and above all, never makes stupid remarks. Taking him altogether, I am quite contented. As soon as we were alone in the carriage in the Rue Rivoli, I had to repulse another attack from mama: "He's simply charming. I should think that you would never insist on Cluny now." "No. I waive that. Never mind Cluny." "That's right. Then you've decided?" "Not yet, mama; not yet. One oughtn't to rush madly into marriage after having got a little information about a man's fortune and situation." "But what more do you want?" "To see him on horseback. He's seen me riding, but I haven't seen him." In short, Madame de Mercerey, whose devotion is indefatigable, is going to advise him to-night to go and ride about at the entrance of the Avenue des Acacias about ten o'clock to-morrow morning. As inducement she will hint delicately that he may possibly meet papa and me. For papa--I must say that papa astonishes me--he is acting the _rôle_ of a father who has a marriageable daughter to perfection. He hasn't mounted a horse for four years, but to-morrow he is going to risk a broken neck. _November 20th._ We had a ride round the Bois--all three of us--papa, he, and I. _He_ looks very well on horseback. He rode a splendid bay mare. I will take her for myself, and will pass Triboulet on to him, for I know Triboulet too well, and am tired of him. On my return I flung my arms round mama's neck-- "Yes, a thousand times," I said.