He had been chatting for about twenty or twenty-five minutes, when, taking out his watch, he saw that it was a quarter to three.

The young girl showed herself amiable, engaging, attractive, and full of promises.

Ceres was fascinated, but he stood up to go.
"Stay a little longer," said she in a pressing and agreeable voice which made him promptly sit down again.
She was full of interest, of abandon, curiosity, and weakness.

He blushed, turned pale, and again got up.
Then, in order to keep him still longer, she looked at him out of two grey and melting eyes, and though her bosom was heaving, she did not say another word.

He fell at her feet in distraction, but once more looking at his watch, he jumped up with a terrible oath.
"D--! a quarter to four! I must be off." And immediately he rushed down the stairs.
From that time onwards she had a certain amount of esteem for him.
IV.