"No, you are mistaken. I never think of any man; it is not right of you to say that."
"Very well! then, my dear girl, I say again that it was perfectly absurd of you to refuse those two! Adieu! I am going to select some flowers for my head, for I am going to a large party to-night, and I propose to eclipse all the other women."
Some little time after this interview, Adolphine was alone, thinking of him whose image was always present in her mind; for she had not told her sister the truth when she said that she never thought of any man; but there are passions which one does not choose to confide except to a heart capable of understanding them, and she was well aware that Fanny would not understand hers.
Madeleine suddenly entered her mistress's room, and said:
"Mamzelle, a young man wants to speak to you."
"To me? He probably has business with my father."
"No, mamzelle; it was you he asked to see—and monsieur your father isn't at home, either."
"Very well! show him in."
Soon the door opened anew, and Gustave appeared before Adolphine. The girl uttered an exclamation, for she recognized him at once; and she was so disturbed that she had to lean upon a chair.
"What! is it you, Monsieur Gustave?" she murmured.