"Oh! I'm sure of it! Do you suppose I don't know all about it? Bertrand's embarrassment, and the concierge's orders. In fact, it's a most surprising thing that he let you come up." "It was Monsieur Bertrand who made him let me in; if it hadn't been for him, I should have been sent away." "For my part, it's all a matter of indifference to me; I look on Auguste as my brother now. But you are pale, my child! Don't you feel well?" "Yes, madame, I'm all right." "How lucky you are, my child, to be virtuous, and not to know anything about the passions! Always retain this innocence.--Bertrand, can't you see that this cake is choking me? For heaven's sake, give me something to drink, and this child will take something too." "No, thank you, madame." "Ah! the little fellow's waking up!" Coco opened his eyes and looked about in amazement; then ran to Denise, saying: "Where's my kind friend?" "Oh! I guess we shan't see him," said the girl, in a tremulous voice, looking at the clock, which marked the quarter-past three, then turning her eyes on Bertrand with an imploring expression, as if to urge him to call Auguste. "He's a pretty little fellow," said Virginie, passing her hand over Coco's head. "I'd like to have a child like him, because a child gives one a respectable look." A bell rang in the next room. "Monsieur is calling me," said Bertrand; and he hurried from the salon. At the same moment little Tony ran rapidly downstairs to put the horse in the cabriolet. Denise expected every minute to see Auguste come in. Virginie was playing with Coco. At last Denise recognized Dalville's voice, speaking earnestly to Bertrand, and in a moment the young man entered the salon. But he had his hat on his head, his gloves in his hand, and seemed in a great hurry. The girl ran to meet him, with the child, taking her basket in her hand. "Good-afternoon, Denise! good-afternoon, my boy!" said Auguste, kissing the child and taking no notice of Virginie. "Have you been waiting for me? I am very sorry that I can't stay with you now." "Monsieur, my aunt sends you her respects," said Denise, "and these chickens, eggs, pears, and----" "Thanks, Denise, thanks! I----" "Pray, come, monsieur; I am waiting!" said a woman's voice impatiently in the reception-room--a voice which strongly resembled Madame de la Thomassinière's. "Adieu, adieu! I will see you again," said Auguste to Denise. And, giving her no time to reply, he hastily left the room, closing the door behind him, and went out of the house with a young woman enveloped in a great shawl and covered with a thick veil, who shrank out of sight on the back seat of the cabriolet. Denise stood perfectly still, basket in hand; but great tears rolled from her eyes, and the basket would have dropped, had not Virginie, who had drawn near, saved it as she caught the girl in her arms.