“Yes, and I assure you it cost him something to comply.”

“We will speak of all this later, for you can well understand how pleasant it is for me to re-visit with your assistance my mother, my brother, and our home surroundings, so if you will tell me when you are disengaged——”

“That will be somewhat difficult; for this next few days I shall be very busy, but will you tell me where I am likely to find you.”

“Listen,” he said, “to-morrow is Mi-Careme, is it not?”

“To-morrow?”

“Yes.”

“Well?”

“Are you going to the Opera Ball?”

“Yes and No. Yes, if you will meet me there. No, if I have no object in going.”