"
"But I will sit with the coachman."
"Look," said the young girl, laughing, "at the size of the seat, and
remember that there will be two large bags and a hat box, a very big
hat box, to hold a hat for mama, one for Genevieve, and one for me."
Albert sighed sadly and closed the carriage door, after he had kissed
his fiancee's hand. As the carriage drove away he went up to the room
his mother was to occupy when she arrived next day, and looked to see
if all was ready.
He took a book and tried to read, but after a couple of minutes he
threw it aside and went out of doors again. He stopped a moment on the
terrace, considering where to go. A young lady stopped him as he was
preparing to go down the steps.
"All alone, Count, and dreaming! Ah! you are thinking of her. Come,
let us stroll along together."
And the young Countess de Morgueil took his arm before he had time to
answer.
"You were not at the rehearsal this morning. You know that they have
given up the tableaux of 'Europa.' Did you insist upon it?"
"No, why should I have made myself so ridiculous?"
"But the Duke pretended...."
"Dear Madame, the Duke could not have pretended anything except that he
did not wish to appear without any clothes on, a decision that I heartily
approved of."
"They say that he tries to fascinate every woman he meets. What do you
think?"
"And what do you?" said the Count, looking her straight in the eye.
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