expected a transport of delight and was irritated by his
indifference.

"You are incomprehensible. Nothing seems to satisfy you."

He replied calmly: "That man is only paying his debts; he owes me a
great deal more."

She was astonished at his tone, and said: "It is very nice, however, at
your age."

He replied: "I should have much more."

He took the casket, placed it on the mantelpiece, and looked for some
minutes at the brilliant star within it, then he closed it with a shrug
of his shoulders and began to prepare to retire.

"L'Officiel" of January 1 announced that M. Prosper Georges du Roy had
been decorated with the Legion of Honor for exceptional services. The
name was written in two words, and that afforded Georges more pleasure
than the decoration itself.

An hour after having read that notice, he received a note from Mme.
Walter, inviting him to come and bring his wife to dine with them that
evening, to celebrate his distinction.

At first he hesitated, then throwing the letter in the fire, he said to
Madeleine: "We shall dine at the Walters' this evening."

In her surprise she exclaimed: "Why, I thought you would never set your
foot in their house again."

His sole reply was: "I have changed my mind."

When they arrived at Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore, they found Mme.
Walter alone in the dainty boudoir in which she received her intimate
friends. She was dressed in black and her hair was powdered. At a
distance she appeared like an old lady, in proximity, like a youthful
one.

"Are you in mourning?" asked, Madeleine.

She replied sadly: "Yes and no. I have lost none of my relatives, but I
have arrived at an age when one should wear somber colors. I wear it
to-day to inaugurate it; hitherto I have worn it in my heart."

The dinner was somewhat tedious. Suzanne alone talked incessantly. Rose
seemed preoccupied. The journalist was overwhelmed with
congratulations, after the meal, when all repaired to the
drawing-rooms. Mme. Walter detained him as they were about to enter the
salon, saying: "I will never speak of anything to you again, only come
to see me, Georges. It is impossible for me to live without you. I see
you, I feel you, in my heart all day and all night. It is as if I had
drunk a poison which preyed upon me. I cannot bear it. I would rather
be as an old woman to you. I powdered my hair for that reason to-night;
but come here--come from time to time as a friend."

He replied calmly: "