"But in that case, mamma, why did you give me a music teacher?"

"Such accomplishments are more useful in solitude than in society."

"Oh!--But, mamma----"

"That is enough, my child."

A glance from Madame de Noirmont imposed silence on the girl; but, after a few moments, she returned to the charge.

"Don't they dance here, mamma?"

"Of course not. Did I tell you that we were going to a ball?"

"Oh, no! but sometimes they dance at receptions; it's much better fun then."

"You think of nothing but pleasure and dancing!"

"Oh! I am so fond of it! Father told me that he would give a great ball next winter."

"A great ball! Oh! I hope that he will change his mind."

"Why don't you want to give one, mamma?"

"No matter; hush!"

The girl held her peace, but indulged in a pretty little pout; whereupon her mother seized her hand and pressed it, and said in a gentler tone and with an expression of the deepest melancholy:

"I distress you, Ernestine; you don't love your mother."

The girl replied by putting her mother's hand to her lips and murmuring:

"Oh! you know that I do!"

Suddenly, happening to turn her head, Mademoiselle de Noirmont caught sight of Cherubin, who did not know which leg to stand on. When she saw that young man standing behind her and cutting such an amusing figure, young Ernestine only half restrained her longing to laugh.

"What is the matter?" her mother asked her; "what has happened to you?

You should not laugh so in company--it is not proper."

The girl replied by nudging her mother gently and whispering:

"Look--behind us--there's a young gentleman."

Madame de Noirmont turned and saw Cherubin, who, having no idea which way to turn, bowed low to her. Amazed to see the young man in hiding in a window recess, Madame de Noirmont was about to move so that he might pa.s.s; but at that moment, Monfreville, having just discovered his young friend, for whom he had been searching the salons in vain, drew near to a.s.sist him in escaping from his prison.

When she saw Monfreville coming straight toward her, Madame de Noirmont seemed to experience a nervous convulsion; but her face changed very slightly.

"Pardon me, madame," said Monfreville, "and permit me to release a young man who, I am sure, has stood here a long while, afraid to stir because he was unwilling to disturb you."

Madame de Noirmont's only reply was to motion to her daughter to rise, which she instantly did. Cherubin thereupon took advantage of the path thus opened, apologizing profusely to young Ernestine; then he walked quickly away with Monfreville, not remarking the extreme pallor that covered Madame de Noirmont's face, and his friend's forced gayety.

"I have been there for more than an hour," whispered Cherubin to his mentor. "Oh! I was awfully uncomfortable! such torture!"

"Well, my dear fellow, why do you creep into little nooks like that?

Did--did Madame de Noirmont speak to you?"

"That lady in front of me, who looked so stern? No, indeed; she had only just discovered me. Oh! I should never fall in love with her, although she is very handsome! I don't think she looks at all agreeable. How different from Comtesse Valdieri, and Madame Celival, and that one, and that one."

While Cherubin turned his amorous glances upon those ladies who attracted him, Monsieur de Noirmont, who was talking with Monsieur Trichet, left that gentleman and walked to meet the young marquis, to whom he made a solemn and ceremonious bow, saying:

"I have just been told that the son of the late Monsieur le Marquis de Grandvilain is here, and I wish to say to him that I am delighted to meet the son of a person whom I esteemed and honored in every respect.

Yes, monsieur, I was well acquainted with monsieur your father; he was a most excellent man; I have no doubt that his son resembles him, and I trust that he will do me the honor to call at my house. Here is my card, monsieur; I look forward to the pleasure of a visit from you."

Cherubin, bewildered by this unexpected invitation, bowed and muttered a few commonplace words; but Monsieur de Noirmont took his hand and led him away, saying:

"Allow me to present you to Madame de Noirmont."

Cherubin made no resistance; he allowed himself to be led back, shuddering, to the little recess where he had stood so long; but that time he was not compelled to enter it. Monsieur de Noirmont introduced him to his wife, saying:

"Monsieur le Marquis de Grandvilain, son of a man who honored me by calling me his friend."

Madame de Noirmont, recognizing the young man who had been her prisoner, repressed a gesture of surprise, bowed coldly to Cherubin, and seemed to hesitate to look at him, as if she dreaded to see Monfreville with him again.

Little Ernestine bit her lips to keep from laughing, when she heard her father give the name of Grandvilain to the young man whom he presented.

At last Cherubin found himself at liberty once more, and returned to Monfreville, who said to him:

"You have been introduced to Madame de Noirmont?"

"Yes, my friend."

"What did she say to you?"

"Nothing; indeed her greeting was decidedly cold."

"Shall you go to her house?"

"Faith, I have no inclination to do so; it seems to me that it must be a horribly dull place. That Monsieur de Noirmont has a stiff sort of courtesy that turns one cold. After all, I am not obliged to visit all my father's friends; they are hardly of my age."

"You must leave your card at his door, that will be enough; I think with you that it will be as well for you not to go to that house. But Madame Celival is looking for you, she was asking just now what had become of you; I think that you have made a conquest of her."

"Really! Oh! if that were true!"

"Look, there she is yonder. Go and say something to her."

"What shall I say?"

"Whatever you choose; she will help you to keep up the conversation.

Don't be bashful, my dear fellow; that isn't the way to get ahead in the world."