The vast place stretched out before him. It was shaded and deserted in the lofty frame of its several illustrious palaces. In the distance, the open space of the Tuileries seemed to be a region of light without end, whose white reflection made the sky paler. A warm breeze came from it and at intervals bent down the green grass of the neighboring gardens. The master took a deep breath. He loved this milky and delightful aroma of the morning air in the spring. And his soul was gradually harmonizing itself with the lofty quiet of the scene. He walked up and down in front of the peristyle, glancing at his light gloves which he was fastening. The approach of a carriage made him look up, and he saw at one of the high windows of the Colbert pavilion two clerks of the Finance Ministry who were watching him smilingly. Their inspection did not hurt his feelings. He imagined to himself the surprised admiration which the young men would feel when Mme. Chambannes arrived. Yes, of course! He was waiting for a lady! And what a lady! These two gentlemen had probably never seen in their life one so elegant and so special! An open carriage was coming towards the pavilion de Sully by the avenue on the left. The master rushed over just in time to help Mme. Chambannes out. She had on a dark blue costume with a shot-silk blouse which sparkled at the opening of her short jacket. She placed her little white gloved hand in that of M. Raindal and gave him a candid little laugh of greeting and thankfulness. "Well, dear master," she said, when she had paid her driver, "you are not too angry with me, are you? Were you very indignant at your little pupil?..." M. Raindal blinked under the tender glance which pervaded him. He had grown unaccustomed to it. "Not at all, dear lady!..." he stammered. "Above all things I am delighted to see you again.... Is M. Chambannes well?" "Quite.... He came back last night.... By the way, he asked me to invite you to the opera to-night.... They are giving "Samson and Delilah" and "The Korringane." We have a box on the second tier.... You will come, won't you?" "Oh! Madame...." "Yes, yes, you will come.... I want you to!" She looked about her inquiringly and noticed the plate with big gold letters over the peristyle: "It is here, isn't it?" "Alas! it's impossible to-day, dear Madame!..." the master exclaimed, and Zozé assumed an expression of displeasure. "For the one time that I'm free, how vexing!... What shall we do, then?" "I don't know, Madame!... Whatever you like!" Distractedly he glanced at the circular little open spaces where the leaves of the trees rustled in the breeze. One could not see inside them. The very access to them seemed forbidden by the thick foliage pressed against the gates. They were like two gallant theatrical property gardens, put there by mistake or merely temporarily. The master thought, "This would be perfect!" And he pointed to the nearer of these little gardens.