"Who was that chap she kept calling out to help her," he kept saying to himself in the cab. "Henri, Henri--oh, of course, that is the Christian name of that humbug Delapine. Now I remember seeing him once squeeze her hand under the table when they thought no one was looking. I can see it all clearly now. She is in love with the professor. That explains why she was so cold to me, and why she was so furious when I kissed her. What a fool I was not to see it before. Otherwise she would have been only too proud for a wealthy, handsome fellow like me to pay her attention. It is Delapine who has drawn her away from me--curse him. If it had not been for that interfering fellow she would have thrown herself into my arms. Never mind, I will have her yet, in spite of all his fine tricks, and that before many days are over." Chuckling to himself at the sweet thought of revenge, he entered the house. "Hullo, Pierre my boy, where have you been?" asked the General, as his son entered the room. "Oh, I've just been over to Dr. Villebois' house." "Oh fie, so you've been over there to see the pretty bird in its cage, have you? Well, I'm only too delighted to hear it. I could not wish you to marry a better girl. Payot and I have had a little chat about it, and we have come to the conclusion that it will suit our books to a 'T,' if you become her fiancé. The whole thing has been arranged between us, and all you have to do is to go and propose to her and the thing is done. Nothing could possibly be easier. I know she has a soft place in her heart for you, and if she hadn't it is not likely that she would be such a fool as to refuse a man of your position and wealth." "But, father, I have just seen her, and she not only refused me, but she slapped my face, and told me never to speak to her again." "What!" exclaimed Duval, "Do you mean to tell me that she actually hit you?" "Yes, father, and what is more she shouted at the top of her voice for Delapine to come to her assistance. 'Henri, Henri,' she cried, 'help me, help me,' and then she went into hysterics and hoped she would never set eyes on me again." The General whistled. After a moment.... "This is a fine state of things," he said. "We must put our heads together and see whether we should merely watch and wait, or make a counter attack, or fight a rearguard action. The fat is in the fire, and no mistake. But, tell me, what did you do to her to put her in such a rage?" "I merely went into the garden with some wraps, and when I had put them round her and paid her a few lover's compliments, I kissed her. Nothing else, I swear." "Now tell me, Pierre, as man to man, on your honour that you did nothing else." "Absolutely nothing, on my honour, sir, I swear to you." "Then the solution of the problem is simple ... she is in love with Delapine."