.

'As you will.'

He was relieved by her decision, not merely because the last thread of
comradeship between them was broken, but because he dreaded the exposure
of the cupboard skeleton, which was always putting out a ghastly head at
him. In a great city like Paris there might arise an occasion of escape
from control at any moment, and Heaven alone knew what _esclandre_ might
ensue upon a single escapade.

He made his preparations for departure. Laurent promised his most
careful supervision of affairs, and Paul left him with plenary powers.
There were no adieux to make, for Annette declined to see him. He
travelled to Brussels, and thence to Paris, going away with a relief
which was made the more complete by the latest intelligence the doctor
had brought him: there was to be no child of Annette's and his. That
hope or fear--and he had barely known which to think it--was over.

At Montcourtois Madame la Baronne de Wyeth had been content to live in
extreme simplicity, and her account of her own surroundings at Veryiers
did not express any dose approach to luxury; but in Paris she occupied
apartments of great splendour, had a considerable entourage about her,
and entertained a limited number of charming people, who were all more
or less celebrated. Her music was as fine as anything that could be got
in Paris, for she knew all the great singers and instrumentalists, and
though the season was about at an end, there was still enough genius in
the basket to pick and choose from.

It was with a wildly beating heart that Paul alighted at her door, and
as he stood awaiting her in the luxuriously furnished salon which was
the centrepiece of her apartments, his knees trembled with agitation.
He was there to meet for the first time the woman he loved. That was
strange and yet true. When he had last seen her he had not yet grown to
love her, or, if he had, he had granted himself no knowledge of it. But
now he loved, and he had confessed his love, and what was potentially
a return avowal had been made by her. And they were to meet just
as friends. There was to be no word spoken of all the passion which
thrilled and filled his heart and tingled through his veins.

She came at last in a gentle silken rustle, dressed already for the
reception of the guests who were expected to arrive an hour later. She
had accorded him this one _tete-a-tete_--this and no other. She was
transfigured in his eyes, and did indeed show to her best adv