"Well," said Riche as the three slowly retraced their steps towards the summer-house, "there's no doubt about it but your experiment in botany was something out of the common, and besides, it seemed to me that there was something in it which so far I cannot fathom, but it has not allowed me to forget your promise to give us an exhibition of your wonderful powers of thought-reading. When are you going to keep that promise?" "My dear doctor," replied Delapine with a peculiar smile, half sad, half severe, "I have just now done so. Are you not satisfied?" Riche and Villebois looked at each other for a moment, and then at Delapine as if seeking an explanation. Then a sudden thought flashed across Riche's mind, but he said nothing. CHAPTER IX CELESTE TRIES TO FATHOM RENÉE'S SECRET Early in the evening as Céleste was going upstairs to dress for dinner--a proceeding which entailed a very great expenditure of both thought and time on the part of this particular young lady--she encountered her adopted sister, Renée, on the landing. "Oh, Renée, ma chérie," she called out, "whatever is the matter with you? I went to your room yesterday afternoon, and found you moaning and sobbing, and you were so cross with me, and asked to be left alone just because you had a headache. I know there was some other reason, now wasn't there?" "It was quite true, I did feel upset, and really, dear, my head was aching terribly." "Oh, but, Renée dear, you ought to tell me, your little sister; you know that I can keep a secret. I am sure that you had something horrid on your mind, because as soon as I had gone you rose and locked the door; you cannot deny it, can you?" "Well, if I did, it was to prevent anyone from disturbing me." "No, Renée, that won't do. People with headaches do not bury their faces in their hands and cry their eyes out, as you were doing. You have some trouble," she continued, "and I want to help you to bear it, may I? Won't you, let me?" "Céleste, you are just a darling. If you will promise me faithfully not to let a living soul know, I will tell you my secret." "Of course I won't, you know I always tell the truth. I never tell lies--except sometimes to mamma," she added after a pause. "Well then, Céleste dear, Henri--I mean, Professor Delapine--has asked me to be his wife, you cannot think how happy I am," and while she spoke, a look of joy came over her face. "Oh, Renée, I am so glad," cried Céleste, clapping her hands and throwing her arms around her sister's neck, while half sobbing and half laughing she breathlessly whispered, "I have often wondered if that would happen, I know that you two are exactly suited to each other, and Renée--he is such a clever darling. Oh, I am so delighted to hear it." "Don't I know that he is as you say 'such a darling,'" said Renée smiling. "I have loved him from the very first moment that I met him, without being aware of it, if you can understand my meaning."