h.

"Yes," said she; "I formerly knew the marquis, her father."

Meanwhile Helene had descended the staircase, crossed the court, and
opened the door; on the step stood Gaston.

"Come, my friend," said Helene.

Gaston followed her, the door closed behind them, and they entered a
room on the ground-floor.

"You called me, and I am here, Helene," said the young man; "what do you
fear, what dangers threaten you?"

"Look around you," said Helene, "and judge."

The room in which they were was a charming boudoir, adjoining the
dining-room, with which it communicated not only by folding doors, but
also by an opening almost concealed by rare and peculiar flowers. The
boudoir was hung with blue satin; over the doors were pictures by Claude
Audran, representing the history of Venus in four tableaux, while the
panels formed other episodes of the same history, all most graceful in
outline and voluptuous in expression. This was the house which Noce, in
the innocence of his heart, had designated as fit for a prude.

"Gaston," said Helene, "I wonder whether I should really mistrust this
man, who calls himself my father. My fears are more aroused here than at
Rambouillet."

After examining the boudoir, Gaston and Helene passed into the
dining-room, and then into the garden, which was ornamented with marble
statues of the same subjects as the pictures. As they returned, they
passed Madame Desroches, who had not lost sight of them, and who,
raising her hands in a despairing manner, exclaimed:

"Oh, mon Dieu! what would monseigneur think of this?"

These words kindled the smoldering fire in Gaston's breast.

"Monseigneur!" cried he; "you heard, Helene--monseigneur! We are then,
as I feared, in the house of one of those great men who purchase
pleasure at the expense of honor. Helene, do not allow yourself to be
deceived. At Rambouillet I foresaw danger; here I see it."

"Mon Dieu," said Helene, "but if, by aid of his valets, this man should
retain me here by force."

"Do not fear, Helene; am not I here?"

"Oh!" said Helene, "and must I renounce the sweet idea of finding a
father, a preceptor, a friend."

"And at what a moment, when you are about to be left alone in the
world," said Gaston, unconsciously betraying a part of his secret.

"What were you saying, Gaston? What is the meaning of these words?"

"Nothing--nothing," replied the young man; "some meaningless words which
escaped me, and to which you must not attac