-Ami!"

"Why do you call me by that name?"

She replied with a smile: "I saw Mme. de Marelle last week and I know
what they have christened you at her house."

He took a seat near his hostess and glanced at her curiously; she was a
charming blonde, fair and plump, made for caresses, and he thought:
"She is certainly nicer than the other one." He did not doubt that he
would only have to extend his hand in order to gather the fruit. As he
gazed upon her she chided him for his neglect of her.

He replied: "I did not come because it was for the best--"

"How? Why?"

"Why? Can you not guess?"

"No!"

"Because I loved you; a little, only a little, and I did not wish to
love you any more."

She did not seem surprised, nor flattered; she smiled indifferently and
replied calmly: "Oh, you can come just the same; no one loves me long."

"Why not?"

"Because it is useless, and I tell them so at once. If you had
confessed your fears to me sooner, I would have reassured you. My dear
friend, a man in love is not only foolish but dangerous. I cease all
intercourse with people who love me or pretend to; firstly, because
they bore me, and secondly, because I look upon them with dread, as I
would upon a mad dog. I know that your love is only a kind of appetite;
while with me it would be a communion of souls. Now, look me in the
face--" she no longer smiled. "I will never be your sweetheart; it is
therefore useless for you to persist in your efforts. And now that I
have explained, shall we be friends?"

He knew that that sentence was irrevocable, and delighted to be able to
form such an alliance as she proposed, he extended both hands, saying:

"I am yours, Madame, to do with as you will"

He kissed her hands and raising his head said: "If I had found a woman
like you, how gladly would I have married her."

She was touched by those words, and in a soft voice, placing her hand
upon his arm, she said: "I am going to begin my offices at once. You
are not diplomatic--" she hesitated. "May I speak freely?"

"Yes."

"Call upon Mme. Walter who has taken a fancy to you. But be guarded as
to your compliments, for she is virtuous. You will make a better
impression there by being careful in your remarks. I know that your
position at the office is unsatisfactory, but do not worry; all their
employees are treated alike."

He said: "Thanks; you are an angel--a guardian angel."

As he took his leave, he asked again: "Are we frien