Do you love any one ?" "As a lover?
--" "Yes." She remained thoughtful for a moment, then said with a peculiar expression: "That I shall know soon." "Why not this evening ?" resumed the poet tenderly.

"Why not me ?" She cast a grave glance upon him and said,-- "I can never love a man who cannot protect me." Gringoire colored, and took the hint.

It was evident that the young girl was alluding to the slight assistance which he had rendered her in the critical situation in which she had found herself two hours previously.
This memory, effaced by his own adventures of the evening, now recurred to him.

He smote his brow.
"By the way, mademoiselle, I ought to have begun there.

Pardon my foolish absence of mind.