r the presence of
the Marquis de Cazolles. At the last moment, however, it was decided
that Count de Latour-Ivelin should go, for he and Rose had been
betrothed a month. The day was delightful. Georges, who was very pale,
gazed at Suzanne as they sat in the carriage and their eyes met.

Mme. Walter was contented and happy. The luncheon was a long and merry
one. Before leaving for Paris, Du Roy proposed a walk on the terrace.
They stopped on the way to admire the view; as they passed on, Georges
and Suzanne lingered behind. The former whispered softly: "Suzanne, I
love you madly."

She whispered in return: "I love you too, Bel-Ami."

He continued: "If I cannot have you for my wife, I shall leave the
country."

She replied: "Ask papa. Perhaps he will consent."

He answered impatiently: "No, I repeat that it is useless; the door of
the house would be closed against me. I would lose my position on the
journal, and we would not even meet. Those are the consequences a
formal proposal would produce. They have promised you to the Marquis de
Cazolles; they hope you will finally say 'yes' and they are waiting."

"What can we do?"

"Have you the courage to brave your father and mother for my sake?"

"Yes."

"Truly?"

"Yes."

"Well! There is only one way. It must come from you and not from me.
You are an indulged child; they let you say anything and are not
surprised at any audacity on your part. Listen, then! This evening on
returning home, go to your mother first, and tell her that you want to
marry me. She will be very much agitated and very angry."

Suzanne interrupted him: "Oh, mamma would be glad."

He replied quickly: "No, no, you do not know her. She will be more
vexed than your father. But you must insist, you must not yield; you
must repeat that you will marry me and me alone. Will you do so?"

"I will."

"And on leaving your mother, repeat the same thing to your father very
decidedly."

"Well, and then--"

"And then matters will reach a climax! If you are determined to be my
wife, my dear, dear, little Suzanne, I will elope with you."

She clapped her hands, as all the charming adventures in the romances
she had read occurred to her, and cried:

"Oh, what bliss! When will you elope with me?"

He whispered very low: "To-night!"

"Where shall we go?"

"That is my secret. Think well of what you are doing. Remember that
after that flight you must become my wife. It is the only means, but it
is