My answer was to kiss her with as much admiration as tenderness, and the next day at four o'clock in the afternoon we paid our visit to M.Dubois.We were much surprised, for we found him alone with a very pretty girl, whom he presented to us as his niece.
"I am delighted to see you," he said, "but as I did not expect to see you I altered my arrangements, and instead of the dinner I had intended to give I have invited my friends to supper.

I hope you will not refuse me the honour of your company.

The two virtuosi will soon be here." We were compelled to accept his invitation.
"Will there be many guests ?" I enquired.
"You will find yourselves in the midst of people worthy of you," he answered, triumphantly.

"I am only sorry that I have not invited any ladies." This polite remark, which was intended for Henriette, made her drop him a curtsy, which she accompanied with a smile.

I was pleased to read contentment on her countenance, but, alas! she was concealing the painful anxiety which she felt acutely.