She disappeared, but Gustave preened himself, certain of success. As he went downstairs he saw Count Albert, helping the old Mademoiselle and her charge into the carriage. Instinctively, he looked up to see his master's silhouette at the window. Albert was asking to be allowed to go with them, but Esperance had promised herself a quiet and restful drive. "No, Albert, we shall be four with my father and mother, and this is a small carriage." "But I will sit with the coachman." "Look," said the young girl, laughing, "at the size of the seat, and remember that there will be two large bags and a hat box, a very big hat box, to hold a hat for mama, one for Genevieve, and one for me." Albert sighed sadly and closed the carriage door, after he had kissed his fiancée's hand. As the carriage drove away he went up to the room his mother was to occupy when she arrived next day, and looked to see if all was ready. He took a book and tried to read, but after a couple of minutes he threw it aside and went out of doors again. He stopped a moment on the terrace, considering where to go. A young lady stopped him as he was preparing to go down the steps. "All alone, Count, and dreaming! Ah! you are thinking of her. Come, let us stroll along together." And the young Countess de Morgueil took his arm before he had time to answer. "You were not at the rehearsal this morning. You know that they have given up the tableaux of 'Europa.' Did you insist upon it?" "No, why should I have made myself so ridiculous?" "But the Duke pretended...." "Dear Madame, the Duke could not have pretended anything except that he did not wish to appear without any clothes on, a decision that I heartily approved of." "They say that he tries to fascinate every woman he meets. What do you think?" "And what do you?" said the Count, looking her straight in the eye. "Oh! he would never cause me great palpitation," she returned meaningly. "Are you making any allusion to Mlle. Darbois?" he asked, stopping abruptly. "I am engaged to Mlle. Darbois, I believe you know, Madame. You are piqued because you love the Duke de Morlay and he seems to be deserting you to hover near my fiancée. Do as I do; have a little patience; to-morrow by this time the fête will be over and I shall have left with Mlle. Darbois. Don't be either too nervous or too malicious, it does not agree with your type of beauty. I kiss your hands." He went towards the Château, and took up his vigil in the little salon adjoining Esperance's room. The Countess of Morgueil was confused and mortified. "He is not so stupid as he looks," she thought. Albert was reading, but listening all the time. Finally a carriage stopped before the Château. He went down quickly and caught Esperance in his arms so tightly that the young girl gave a little scream. "Oh! pardon, pardon. It is so long since I have seen you."