He unfolded and counted out on the table the bank notes he had received from old Tabaret.

“My little Juliette,” said he, “here are not eight thousand francs, but ten thousand.  You will not see me again for a few days.”

“Are you leaving Paris, then?”

“No; but my entire time will be absorbed by an affair of immense importance to myself.  If I succeed in my undertaking, my dear, our future happiness is assured, and you will then see whether I love you!”

“Oh, my dear Noel, tell me what it is.”

“I cannot now.”

“Tell me I beseech you,” pleaded the young woman, hanging round his neck, raising herself upon the tips of her toes to press her lips to his.  The advocate embraced her; and his resolution seemed to waver.

“No,” said he at length, “seriously I cannot.  Of what use to awaken in you hopes which can never be realized?  Now, my darling, listen to me.  Whatever may happen, understand, you must under no pretext whatever again come to my house, as you once had the imprudence to do.  Do not even write to me.  By disobeying, you may do me an irreparable injury.  If any accident occurs, send that old rascal Clergot to me.  I shall have a visit from him the day after to-morrow, for he holds some bills of mine.”

Juliette recoiled, menacing Noel with a mutinous gesture.  “You will not tell me anything?” insisted she.

“Not this evening, but very soon,” replied the advocate, embarrassed by the piercing glance of his mistress.

“Always some mystery!” cried Juliette, piqued at the want of success attending her blandishments.

“This will be the last, I swear to you!”

“Noel, my good man,” said the young woman in a serious tone, “you are hiding something from me.  I understand you, as you know; for several days past there has been something or other the matter with you, you have completely changed.”

“I swear to you, Juliette—­”

“No, swear nothing; I should not believe you.  Only remember, no attempt at deceiving me, I forewarn you.  I am a woman capable of revenge.”

The advocate was evidently ill at ease.  “The affair in question,” stammered he, “can as well fail as succeed.”

“Enough,” interrupted Juliette; “your will shall be obeyed.  I promise that.  Come, sir, kiss me.  I am going to bed.”

The door was hardly shut upon Noel when Charlotte was installed on the divan near her mistress.  Had the advocate been listening at the door, he might have heard Madame Juliette saying, “No, really, I can no longer endure him.  What a bore he is, my girl.  Ah! if I was not so afraid of him, wouldn’t I leave him at once?  But he is capable of killing me!”

The girl vainly tried to defend Noel; but her mistress did not listen.  She murmured, “Why does he absent himself, and what is he plotting?  An absence of eight days is suspicious.  Can he by any chance intend to be married?  Ah! if I only knew.  You weary me to death, my good Noel, and I am determined to leave you to yourself one of these fine mornings; but I cannot permit you to quit me first.  Supposing he is going to get married?  But I will not allow it.  I must make inquiries.”