or in her bosom, or at her waist! She had innumerable tricks of
indication in these shifty pretty ways of hers, and was full of varying
speech to the cunning reader of her.

'But keep her to seriousness,' Alvan said. 'Our meeting must be early
to-day--early in the afternoon. She is not unlikely to pretend to
trifle. She has not seen me for some time, and will probably enough play
at emancipation and speak of the "singular impatience of the seigneur
Alvan." Don't you hear her? I swear to those very words! She "loves
her liberty," and she curves her fan and taps her foot. "The seigneur
Alvan appears pressed for time:" She has "letters to write to friends to-
day." Stop that! I can't join in play: to-morrow, if she likes; not to-
day. Or not till I have her by the hand. She shall be elf and fairy,
French coquette, whatever she pleases to-morrow, and I'll be satisfied.
All I beg is for plain dealing on a business matter. This is a business
matter, a business meeting. I thoroughly know the girl's heart, and know
that in winning the interview I win her. Only'--he pressed his friend's
arm--'but, my dear Tresten, you understand. You're a luckier fellow than
I--for the time, at all events. Make it as short as you can. You'll
find me here. I shall take a book--one of the Pandects. I don't suppose
I shall work. I feel idle. Any book handy; anything will interest me.
I should walk or row on the lake, but I would rather be sure of readiness
for your return. You meet Storchel at the General's house?'

'The appointment was at the house,' Tresten said.

'I have not seen him this morning. I know of nothing to prepare him for.
You see, it was invariable with her: as soon as she met me she had twice
her spirit: and that she knows;--she was a new woman, ten times the
happier for having some grains of my courage. So she'll be glad to come