"Look," said the young girl, laughing, "at the size of the seat, and remember that there will be two large bags and a hat box, a very big hat box, to hold a hat for mama, one for Genevieve, and one for me."
Albert sighed sadly and closed the carriage door, after he had kissed his fiancée's hand. As the carriage drove away he went up to the room his mother was to occupy when she arrived next day, and looked to see if all was ready.
He took a book and tried to read, but after a couple of minutes he threw it aside and went out of doors again. He stopped a moment on the terrace, considering where to go. A young lady stopped him as he was preparing to go down the steps.
"All alone, Count, and dreaming! Ah! you are thinking of her. Come, let us stroll along together."
And the young Countess de Morgueil took his arm before he had time to answer.
"You were not at the rehearsal this morning. You know that they have given up the tableaux of 'Europa.' Did you insist upon it?"
"No, why should I have made myself so ridiculous?"
"But the Duke pretended…."
"Dear Madame, the Duke could not have pretended anything except that he did not wish to appear without any clothes on, a decision that I heartily approved of."
"They say that he tries to fascinate every woman he meets. What do you think?"