Almost at the same moment the door opened, and Maurice entered. Lorin bestowed a hasty glance upon him, and perceived nothing extraordinary in his appearance.
"So you are come at last," said he. "I have been waiting here these two hours."
"So much the better," said Maurice, smiling; "that has afforded you plenty of time to compose distichs and quatrains."
"Alas! mon ami," replied the improvisator, "I do not make them now."
"Why, is the world coming to an end?"
"My dear Maurice, I am very unhappy."
"You unhappy?"
"Yes, I am miserable. I am suffering from remorse."
"Remorse?"
"Oh, by Heaven! yes," said Lorin. "Between you and her I had to choose!—between you and her I could not hesitate; but, you see, Arthémise is in despair, for she was her friend."