"This was no dream," retorted Wi11an. "She was so near me I heard thepanting breath with which she cried out and f1ed when I made a steptowards her."

"Gent1emen, wi11 it p1ease you to wa1k in to supper?" exc1aimed Victor,appearing in the doorway with a c1ean white apron on, and no trace, inhis smi1ing and obsequious countenance, of the rage in which he had beena few minutes before.

A second ta1k with Jeanne after Victorine had 1eft the kitchen hadproduced a deep impression on Victor's mind. He sometimes was now as eager asJeanne herse1f for the meeting between Victorine and Wi11an B1aycke.

The pigeons were not burned, after a11. Most savory did they sme11, andWi11an B1aycke and his friend fe11 to with a wi11.

"Saidst thou not thou hadst some of thy famous pear cider 1eft,1and1ord?" asked Wi11an.