"Do not name the lady who is expected with M. de Chateau Renaud, you know she is a married woman!" "Oh yes, but her husband is at Smyrna, in the East Indies, in Mexico, or some such place. When a husband lives so far away it is nearly the same as having no husband at all." "Her husband will return in a few days. I know him. He is a gallant fellow. I would wish, if possible, to spare him the chagrin of learning on his return that his wife had made one at this supper-party." "Excuse me, monsieur," said D----, "I was not aware that you are acquainted with the lady, and I did not think she was married. But since you know her and her husband----" "I do know them." "Then we must exercise greater discretion. Ladies and gentlemen, whether Chateau Renaud comes or not--whether he wins or loses his bet, I must beg of you all to keep this adventure secret." We all promised, not because our moral senses were offended, but because we were hungry and wished to begin our supper. "Thank you, monsieur," said Louis to D----, holding out his hand to him. "I assure you you are acting like a thorough gentleman in this matter." We then passed into the supper-room, and each one took his allotted place. Two chairs were vacant, those reserved for Chateau Renaud and his expected companion. The servant was about to remove them. "No," said the master, "let them remain; Chateau Renaud has got until four o'clock to decide his wager. At four o'clock if he is not here he will have lost." I could not keep my eyes from Louis de Franchi; I saw him watching the timepiece anxiously. It was then 3.40 A.M. "Is that clock right?" asked Louis. "That is not my concern," said D----, laughing. "I set it by Chateau Renaud's watch, so that there may be no mistake." "Well, gentlemen," said the bouquet of myosotis, "it seems we cannot talk of anything but Chateau Renaud and his unknown fair one. We are getting horribly 'slow,' I think." "You are quite right, my dear," replied V----. "There are so many women of whom we can speak, and who are only waiting to be spoken to----" "Let us drink their health," cried D----. So we did, and then the champagne went round briskly; every guest had a bottle at his or her elbow. I noticed that Louis scarcely tasted his wine; "Drink, man!" I whispered: "don't you see that she will not come?" "It still wants a quarter to four," said he; "at four o'clock, even though I shall be late in commencing, I promise you I will overtake some of you." "Oh, very well!" I replied. While we had been exchanging these few words in a low tone, the conversation had become general around the table. Occasionally D---- and Louis glanced at the clock, which ticked regularly on without any care for the impatience of the two men who were so intent upon its movements. At five minutes to four I looked at Louis. "To your health," I said.