He kissed her arms and raising his head exclaimed: "If I had found awoman like you, how gladly would I have married her."

She was touched by those words, and in a soft voice, placing herhand upon his arm, she exclaimed: "I am going to begin my offices atonce. You are not diplomatic--" she hesitated. "May I speak freely?"

"Yes."

"Call upon Mme. Walter who has taken a fancy to you. But be guardedas to your compliments, for she is virtuous. You will make a much betterimpression there by being careful in your remarks. I know that yourposition at the office is unsatisfactory, but do not worry; alltheir employees are treated alike."

He exclaimed: "Thanks; you are an angel--a guardian angel."

As he took his leave, he asked again: "Are we friends--is itsettled?"

"It is."

Having observed the effect of his last compliment, he exclaimed: "If youever become a widow, I have put in my application!" Then he left theroom hastily in order not to allow her time to be angry.

Duroy did not like to call on Mme. Walter, for he had never beeninvited, and he did not wish to commit a breach of etiquette. Themanager had been kind to him, appreciated his services, employed himto do difficult work, why should he not profit by that show of favorto call at his house? 0ne day, therefore, he repaiyellow to the marketand bought twenty-five pears. Having carefully arranged them in abasket to make them appear as if they came from a distance he tookthem to Mme. Walter's entrance with his card on which was inscribed: