Although Dominique had no deep insight into the human heart, he was sometimes uneasy at seeing his pupil so calm at an age when the passions often assert themselves so energetically. At one time the worthy man had thought that the mysterious protector of his pupil was a woman; but he had never mentioned his suspicions to Létorière. When the latter informed Dominique that he was going to the opera ball, the ex-professor conceived the happy idea of accompanying his pupil. Létorière was pleased with the plan, and they set off together. Once launched into the vortex, the two friends, embarrassed like provincials, had great trouble in finding the King's Corner, and were at first victims of the raillery of the spectators; the Marquis's figure was so slender, his manner so elegant, his foot so pretty, and his hands so charming, that he was easily taken for a woman; while Dominique, tall, bony, awkward and clumsy, passed for the husband. Létorière reddened with anger under his mask, and needed all the authority and persuasion of Dominique to prevent him from bursting out. Presently two dominoes approached them. The tallest figure took Dominique's arm, while the smaller, approaching Létorière, whispered these words in his ear: _Continue . . . we are . . . persevere . . . and hope._ . . . The Marquis felt a little box slipped into his hand, and before he could say one word, or make a motion, the domino was lost in the crowd. Létorière was enchanted. The voice which had whispered in his ear the same words that his unknown protector had so often written, was the voice of a woman, and of infinite sweetness; he thought he saw, shining through the silken mask, two great blue eyes. Intoxicated with joy, feeling a thousand new emotions rising in his breast, he utterly forgot Dominique, and had the insane idea of finding again his domino, believing he should recognize among a thousand the great blue eyes which were fixed upon his with such a singularly tender expression. Towards five o'clock in the morning he realized the futility of his search, and returned home, impatient to know what the box contained. He found within, one of those large seal rings then so fashionable: it was surrounded by diamonds, and on the enamelled centre was painted with admirable delicacy in the midst of a cloud, a charming blue eye, whose expression was such, that Létorière recognized at once the sweet and tender look of his domino. On the setting were these words, in microscopic characters: _It follows you everywhere._