told me that I was too young, that she would not listen seriously to my
proposal, and you gave me your permission to try again in two years. I
have employed these two mortal years in constructing a railroad and a
wire bridge in Hungary, and, believe me, I took infinite pains to forget
Antoinette. In vain! She is the romance of my youth, I never can have
another. On July 5, 1873, did you not tell me to return in two years? We
are now at July 5, 1875, and I return. Am I a punctual man?"

"As punctual as insupportable," rejoined M. Moriaz, casting a melancholy
look at his pillow. "Now, candidly, is it the thing to seek the presence
of the President of the Academy of Sciences between eleven o'clock and
midnight, to pour such silly stuff into his ear? You are wanting in
respect for the Institute. Besides, my dear boy, people change in two
years; you are a proof of it. You have developed from boyhood almost
into manhood, and you have done well to let your imperial grow; it gives
you quite a dashing military air--one would divine at first sight that
you were fresh from Hungary. But, while you have changed for the better,
are you sure that Antoinette has not changed for the worse? Are you sure
that she is still the Antoinette of your romance?"

"I beg your pardon; I saw her just now, without her seeing me. She was
promenading on your arm in the hotel-garden, which was lit up in her
honour. Formerly she was enchanting, she has become adorable. If you
would have the immense goodness to give her to me, I would be capable of
doing anything agreeable to you. I would relieve you of all your little
troublesome jobs; I would clean your retorts; I would put labels on your
bottles and jars; I would sweep out your laboratory. I know German very
well--I would read all the large German books it might please you to
consult; I would read them, pen in hand; I would make extracts--written
extracts--and such extracts! _Grand Dieu!_ they would be like