There was a pause.

Then her eyes suddenly met mine again, and she exclaimed defiantly: "Oh, you know very well what it means! What's the good of fencing about it ?" "Yes, I know what it means," said I."When have you promised to go ?" "To-morrow," she answered.
"Because of this thing ?" and I pointed to the necklace.
"Because of--How dare you ask me such questions!" I rose from my seat and bowed.
"You are going ?" she asked, her fingers on the necklace, and her eyes avoiding mine.
"I have the honor," said I, "to enjoy the friendship of the Duchess of Saint-Maclou." "And that forbids you to enjoy mine ?" I bowed assent to her inference.

She sat still at the table, her chin on her hands.

I was about to leave her, when it struck me all in a moment that leaving her was not exactly the best thing to do, although it might be much the easiest.

I arrested my steps.
"Well," she asked, "is not our acquaintance ended ?" And she suddenly opened her hands and hid her face in them.