"No, no! not on Passage Vendôme; that's too near my employer's; someone might see me. Better go where we met first, on Boulevard Bonne-Nouvelle, in front of the Gymnase."
"Very good; at five o'clock?"
"That's too early; half-past five."
"Half-past five it is. Until to-morrow, then!"
"Yes; adieu!"
I kissed her, and she ran down the stairs four at a time. I returned to the salon. Frédérique's face wore a singular expression. She pretended to laugh, but her merriment seemed forced to me.
"Will you forgive me for leaving you alone a moment while I said a word to that young woman?" I said, as I sat down beside her.
"Why, of course! Do friends stand on ceremony with one another?"
"You see, I have taken advantage of the permission you gave me."
"You have done well.—Ha! ha! ha!"