a woman for life ?" cried Victoire.
"Yes," said Lupin softly; and his eyes were shining in a very grave face.
"Is it serious--is it real love, dearie ?" said Victoire.

"What's she like ?" "She's beautiful," said Lupin.
"Oh, trust you for that.

Is she a blonde or a brunette ?" "She's very fair and delicate--like a princess in a fairy tale," said Lupin softly.
"What is she?
What does she do ?" said Victoire.
"Well, since you ask me, she's a thief," said Lupin with a mischievous smile.
"Good Heavens!" cried Victoire.
"But she's a very charming thief," said Lupin; and he rose smiling.
He lighted a cigar, stretched himself and yawned: "She had ever so much more reason for stealing than ever I had," he said.

"And she has always hated it like poison." "Well, that's something," said Victoire; and her blank and fallen face brightened a little.
Lupin walked up and down the room, breathing out long luxurious puffs of smoke from his excellent cigar, and watching Victoire with a humorous eye.

He walked across to his book-shelf, and scanned the titles of his books with an appreciative, almost affectionate smile.
"This is a very pleasant interlude," he said languidly.