g our way, with
our hands united, towards the other corner where the sofa stood. I don't
suppose we went straight, for first of all I knocked against the
mantelpiece, and then against a chest of drawers, before finding what we
wanted. After we sat down I forgot everything, and we almost went to
sleep in each other's arms.

"I was half dreaming; but in my dream I fancied that someone was calling
me and crying for help; then I received a violent blow, and opened my
eyes.

"'O--h!' The setting sun, magnificent and red, shone full into the room
through the door, which was wide open, and seemed to look at us from the
verge of the horizon, illuminating us both, especially my companion, who
was screaming, struggling, and twisting, and trying with hands and feet
to get under the sofa, while in the middle of the room stood my landlord
by the side of the concierge[12] and a chimneysweep, as black as the
devil, who were looking at us with stupid eyes.

"I stood up in rage, ready to jump at his throat, and shouted:

"'What the deuce are you doing in my room?'

"The chimneysweep laughed so that he let his brush fall on the floor.
The porter looked as if he were going out of his mind, and the landlord
stammered:

"'But, Monsieur, it was--it was--about the chimney--the chimney, the
chimney which--'

"'Go to the devil!' I roared. So he took off his hat, which he had kept
on in his confusion, and said, in a confused but very civil manner:

"'I beg your pardon, Monsieur; if I had known, I should not have
disturbed you; I should not have come. The concierge told me you had
gone out. Pray excuse me.' And they all went out.

"Ever since that time I never draw the curtains but am always very
careful to lock the door first."

A MEETING

It was all an accident, a pure accident. Tired of standing, Baron
d'Etraille went, as all the Princess's rooms were open on that
particular evening, into an empty bedroom, which appeared almost dark
after coming out of the brilliantly lighted drawing-rooms.

He looked round for a chair in which to have a doze, as he was sure his
wife would not go away before daylight. As soon as he got inside the
door he saw the big bed with its azure-and-gold hangings, in the middle
of the great room, looking like a catafalque in which love was buried,
for the Princess was no longer young. Behind it, a large bright spot
looked like a lake seen at a distance from the window. It was a large
looking-glass