By this bedside, I am almost ashamed of my happiness." M.Tabaret was obliged to content himself with this reply and this promise.

Seeing that he would learn nothing that evening, he spoke of going to bed, declaring himself tired out by what he had had to do during the day.

Noel did not ask him to stop.

He was expecting, he said, Madame Gerdy's brother, who had been sent for several times, but who was not at home.

He hardly knew how he could again meet this brother, he added: he did not yet know what conduct he ought to pursue.