“‘I mean--well! to tell the truth, it wasn’t; it’s a wedding present, a souvenir--there’s nothing extraordinary in that, is there?’ “‘Nothing whatever. You can tell me whom it’s for, I suppose?’ “‘Don’t you think that you are pushing your curiosity too far?’ “‘Well, really!’ “‘Yes, I mean it.’ “‘Since you make such a secret of it, I shall ask Monsieur Plumet to tell me. Monsieur Plumet, for whom is this portrait?’ “Plumet, pale as death, fumbled at his workman’s cap, like a naughty child. “‘Why, you see, Mademoiselle--I am only a poor framemaker.’ “‘Very well! I shall go to Madame Plumet, who is sure to know, and will not mind telling me.’ “Madame Plumet, who must have been listening at the door, came in at that moment, trembling like a leaf, and prepared to dare all. “I beg you won’t, Mademoiselle,’ broke in Dufilleul; ‘there is no secret. I only wanted to tease you. The portrait is for a friend of mine who lives at Fontainebleau.’ “‘His name?’ “‘Gonin--he’s a solicitor.’ “‘It was time you told me. How wretched you both looked. Another time tell me straight out, and frankly, anything you have no reason to conceal. Promise you won’t act like this again.’ “‘I promise.’ “‘Then, let us make peace.’ “She held out her hand to him. Before he could grasp it, Madame Plumet broke in: “‘Excuse me, Mademoiselle, I can not have you deceived like this in my house. Mademoiselle, it is not true!’ “‘What is not true, Madame?’ “‘That this portrait is for Monsieur Gonin, or anybody else at Fontainebleau.’ “Mademoiselle Charnot drew back in surprise. “‘For whom, then?’ “‘An actress.’ “‘Take care what you are saying, Madame.’ “‘For Mademoiselle Tigra of the Bouffes.’ “‘Lies!’ cried Dufilleul. ‘Prove it, Madame; prove your story, please!’ “‘Look at the back,’ answered Madame Plumet, quietly. “Mademoiselle Jeanne, who had not put down the miniature, turned it over, read what was on the back, grew deathly pale, and handed it to her lover. “‘What does it say?’ said Dufilleul, stooping over it. “It said: ‘From Monsieur le Baron D-----to Mademoiselle T-----, Boulevard Haussmann. To be delivered on Thursday.’ “‘You can see at once, Mademoiselle, that this is not my writing. It’s an abominable conspiracy. Monsieur Plumet, I call upon you to give your wife the lie. She has written what is false; confess it!’ “The frame-maker hid his face in his hands and made no reply. “‘What, Plumet, have you nothing to say for me?’ “Mademoiselle Charnot was leaving the room. “‘Where are you going, Mademoiselle? Stay, you will soon see that they lie!’ “She was already half-way across the landing when Dufilleul caught her and seized her by the hand. “‘Stay, Jeanne, stay!’ “‘Let me go, sir!’ “‘No, hear me first; this is some horrible mistake. I swear’