I wished to avoid having to lead him to an apartment whose whereabouts I did not know; but by chance we found it. The door was open and there I saw my _valet de chambre_ asleep on an armchair. A candle was going out on a table beside him. He drowsily offered a night robe to the marquis. I was on pins and needles; but the marquis was in a mood to be easily deceived, took the man for a mere sleepy-head, and made a joke of the matter. We passed on to the apartment of Monsieur de T-----. There was no misunderstanding the reception which he accorded me, and the welcome, the compliments which he addressed to the marquis, whom he almost forced to stay. He wished to take him to madame in order that she might insist on his staying. As for me, I received no such invitation. I was reminded that my health was delicate, the country was damp, fever was in the air, and I seemed so depressed that the chateau would prove too gloomy for me. The marquis offered me his chaise and I accepted it. The husband seemed delighted and we were all satisfied. But I could not refuse myself the pleasure of seeing Madame de T----- once more. My impatience was wonderful. My friend conceived no suspicions from the late sleep of his mistress. "Isn't this fine?" he said to me as we followed Monsieur de T-----. "He couldn't have spoken more kindly if she had dictated his words. He is a fine fellow. I am not in the least annoyed by this reconciliation; they will make a good home together, and you will agree with me, that he could not have chosen a wife better able to do the honors." "Certainly," I replied. "However pleasant the adventure has been," he went on with an air of mystery, "you must be off! I will let Madame de T----- understand that her secret will be well kept." "On that point, my friend, she perhaps counts more on me than on you; for you see her sleep is not disturbed by the matter." "Oh! I quite agree that there is no one like you for putting a woman to sleep." "Yes, and a husband too, and if necessary a lover, my dear friend." At last Monsieur de T----- was admitted to his wife's apartment, and there we were all summoned. "I trembled," said Madame de T----- to me, "for fear you would go before I awoke, and I thank you for saving me the annoyance which that would have caused me." "Madame," I said, and she must have perceived the feeling that was in my tones--"I come to say good-bye." She looked at me and at the marquis with an air of disquietude; but the self-satisfied, knowing look of her lover reassured her. She laughed in her sleeve with me as if she would console me as well as she could, without lowering herself in my eyes. "He has played his part well," the marquis said to her in a low voice, pointing to me, "and my gratitude--" "Let us drop the subject," interrupted Madame de T-----; "you may be sure that I am well aware of all I owe him."