r constancy, but he
never had the courage to declare his suspicions. "If I am not mistaken,
I shall either have to leave her," thought he, "or accept everything in
the future." At the idea of a separation from Juliette, he trembled,
and felt his passion strong enough to compel him to submit to the lowest
indignity. He preferred even these heartbreaking doubts to a still more
dreadful certainty.

The presence of the maid who took a considerable time in arranging the
tea-table gave Noel an opportunity to recover himself. He looked at
Juliette; and his anger took flight. Already he began to ask himself if
he had not been a little cruel to her. When Charlotte retired, he came
and took a seat on the divan beside his mistress, and attempted to put
his arms round her. "Come," said he in a caressing tone, "you have been
angry enough for this evening. If I have done wrong, you have punished
me sufficiently. Kiss me, and make it up."

She repulsed him angrily, and said in a dry tone,--"Let me alone! How
many times must I tell you that I am very unwell this evening."

"You suffer, my love?" resumed the advocate, "where? Shall I send for
the doctor?"

"There is no need. I know the nature of my malady; it is called ennui.
You are not at all the doctor who could do anything for me."

Noel rose with a discouraged air, and took his place at the side of the
tea-table, facing her. His resignation bespoke how habituated he had
become to these rebuffs. Juliette snubbed him; but he returned always,
like the poor dog who lies in wait all day for the time when his
caresses will not be inopportune. "You have told me very often during
the last few months, that I bother you. What have I done?" he asked.

"Nothing."

"Well, then, why--?"

"My life is nothing more than a continual yawn," answered the young
woman; "is it my fault? Do you think it very amusing to be your
mistress? Look at yourself. Does there exist another being as sad,
as dull as you, more uneasy, more suspicious, devoured by a greater
jealousy!"

"Your reception of me, my dear Juliette," ventured Noel "is enough to
extinguish gaiety and freeze all effusion. Then one always fears when
one loves!"

"Really! Then one should seek a woman to suit oneself, or have her made
to order; shut her up in the cellar, and have her brought upstairs once
a day, at the end of dinner, during dessert, or with the champagne just
by way of amusement."

"I should have done better not to h