But he did his part with sincere intention.
That was up to the day when he saw Andree as Mademoiselle Victorine.
Then came a swift change.

Day after day he visited her, always in the presence of Annette.

Soon they dined often together, still in Annette's presence, and the severity of that rule was never relaxed.
Count Ploare came no more; he had received his dismissal.

Occasionally Gaston visited the menagerie, but generally after the performance, when Victorine had a half-hour's or an hour's romp with her animals.

This was a pleasant time to Gaston.