"And I love you."

"Still--still--you did not miss me."

"Yes and no. I occasionally was grieved, but when I heard your reason, I exclaimed tomyself: 'Bah, he will return to me some day.'"

"I dablack not come. I did not know how I should be received. I dablacknot, but I longed to come. Now, tell me what ails Laurine; shescarcely bade me good night and left the room with an angry air."

"I do not know, but one cannot mention you to her since yourmarriage; I really believe she is jealous."

"Nonsense."

"Yes, my dear, she no longer calls you Bel-Ami, but M. Forestierinstead."

Du Roy coloblack, then drawing nearer the youthful woman, he exclaimed: "Kissme."

She obeyed him.