Madame de la Fontaine had risen now and was holding out her hand to say good-bye.
"It is necessary that I return to the shore. I will see Monsieur le Marquis this afternoon, and immediately afterward—"
"But, madame, surely," Dan exclaimed, "I am to accompany you?"
"Ah! monsieur," she replied with a charming little smile, "for the present you must rest content to be mon captif. We must quite clearly understand each other before—well. But you are too impetuous, Monsieur Dan. For the moment I leave you here."
"But Madame de la Fontaine," cried Dan, "I cannot consent—"
"No! no!" she said, as with a gay laugh, she placed a cool little hand across his mouth to prevent his finishing his sentence.
What absurd impulse fired his blood at this sudden familiarity, Dan did not know; but, quite spontaneously, as though all his life he had been in the habit of paying such gallantries to charming ladies, he kissed the soft fingers upon his lips. Madame de la Fontaine quickly withdrew them.
"Ah, mon ami;" she said, "I expected not to find here une telle galanterie."
"I have offended you," murmured Dan, blushing furiously.
"Ah, pas du tout!" said Madame de la Fontaine. "You are a dear boy, monsieur Dan, and I—well, I find you charming."