She turns away.

"Tell me!" he continues, bending toward her, "tell me, if _I_ were to
love any one thus--say it were yourself--tell me, beautiful
Belle-bouche! could I hope----"

"Oh, sir! I cannot now----"

"Belle-bouche! dearest Belle-bouche!--my picture was a reality--I love
as I have painted--and upon my knees----"

"----car chantez,
Belle bouche rechignez,"

sang the voice of Sir Asinus, entering from the garden; and our
unfortunate friend Jacques had just time to drop Belle-bouche's hand,
when Sir Asinus entered.

"You're a pretty fellow!" said that worthy, "to frighten me, and make
me believe you were the--Well; let us keep up appearances before the
ladies. How goes it, my dear Jacques?"

Jacques does not answer; he feels an unchristian desire to exterminate
his friend Sir Asinus from the face of the earth--to blot that
gentleman forcibly from the sum of things.

Actuated by these friendly feelings, he gives the knight a look which
nearly takes his breath away.

"Why, what is the matter?" says Sir Asinus.

Jacques sees the false position which he occupies, and groans.

"Why, dear Jacques, you distress me," says Sir Asinus with great
warmth; "did I tread upon your toes?"

Jacques might very justly reply in the affirmative, but he only turns
away muttering disconsolately, "One more chance!"

"I thought you were the proctor," says Sir Asinus pleasantly.

"Did you? I am going back soon, and will send him," replies Jacques
with sad courtesy.

"No! don't trouble yourself!" cries Sir Asinus; "it is not necessary."

"It is no trouble," says Jacques; "but as you are probably about to
return to town yourself, I will not send him."

"To town? Indeed, I am about to do no such thing. It is not every day
that one gets a taste of the country."

"You stay?"

"Yes."

Jacques groans, and imprecates--sleep to descend upon his friend.

He sits down wofully. Sir Asinus scenting the joke, and determined to
revenge himself, does the same joyfully. Jacques sighs, Sir Asinus
laughs. Jacques directs an Olympian frown at his opponent, but Sir
Asinus answers it with smiles.

Belle-bouche all this time has been endeavoring to produce the
impression that she is looking over a book of engravings--being
interested in Heidelberg, and fascinated with the Alhambra. From time
to time her timid glance steals toward Jacques, who is sighing, or
toward Sir Asinus, who is laughing.

Sir Asinus glories