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A few minutes after, I met Louis again, who had in all probability finished
with his bouquet of violets.

As my domino was of rather a slender capacity, I sent it to tease one of my
friends, and took Louis’ arm.

“Well,” began I, “did you learn what you wanted to know?”

“Mon Dieu! yes! you know that generally at a masquerade ball we are often
told things which we had rather not know?”

“My poor friend,” said I; “pardon me for giving you that name, but it seems
to me as if I had known you ever since I first saw your brother. Let us see; you
feel unhappy, do you? What is the matter?”

“Nothing worth relating.”

I saw that he wished to keep his secret, and I was silent.

We walked round two or three times in silence; I, rather indifferent, for I
expected nobody; he, all the time on the look-out, and examining every domino
which passed within reach of our sight.

“Look here,” said I; “do you know what you ought to do?”

He trembled like a man who is forcibly diverted from his pain.

“Me? No! What did you say? Pardon me!”

“I am going to propose a diversion to you, which I think you need.”

“What is it 1”

“Come and take supper with me at the house of a friend of mine.”

“Oh, no! I am afraid I should be too dull a companion.”

“Bah! you’ll hear some folies, and that will cheer you up.”

“Besides, I am not invited.”

“That’s where you are mistaken; you are invited.”

“That is certainly very kind in your amphytrion, but, on my honor, I don’t
feel worthy.”

At this moment we came across Dujarrier; he seemed very much engrossed with
his bouquet of myosotis. Nevertheless he noticed me.

“Well,” said he, “it is all settled, is it not?”

“Till three o’clock.”

“Less agreed than ever, mon cher ami, I can’t be of your company.”

“Go to the devil then.”

And he continued his walk.

“Who is that gentleman?” asked Louis, evidently only to say something “Why,
that’s Dujarrier, one of our friends, a fellow of great mind, although he is
editor of one of our first papers.”

“Monsieur Dujarrier!” exclaimed Louis; “Monsieur Dujarrier! You are
acquainted with him'”

“Certainly I am; for two or three years past I have been in relations of
interest, and especially of friendship with him.”

“It is with him you intend taking supper to-night?”

“Exactly?”

“Then it was to his house that you offered to take me?”

“Yes.”

“Ah! that’s quite another thing; I accept your invitation then. Yes, I accept
it with great pleasure.”

“Very well. I have not gained your consent without some difficulty.”

“Perhaps I ought not to go there,” replied Louis, smiling sadly; “but you
know what I told you the day before yesterday; we go not where we ought to go,
but where fate drives us; and the proof of this is that I would have done better
not to have come here this evening.”

At this moment we crossed Dujarrier again.

“My dear friend,” said I, “I have changed my mind.”

“And you are of our party tonight?”

“Yes.”

“Brave! But I have to tell you of another circumstance.”

“What is it?”

“Whoever takes supper with us tonight, must do so again the day after
tomorrow.”

“By virtue of what law?”

“Merely on account of a bet made with Château-Renaud.”

I felt Louis tremble with excessive agitation, his arm being within mine. I
turned round, but although his face was rather paler than before, his features
remained unmoved.

“And pray what is the object of this bet?” continued I, speaking to
Dujarrier.

“Oh! that would take too long to tell you here. Besides, there is a person
here, interested in this bet, who could make him lose, if she overheard it
spoken of.”

“Excellent! Till three o’clock then?”

“Till three o’clock.”

We separated once more. In passing before the pendule I gave a glance at the
dial; it was thirty-five minutes past two.

“Are you acquainted with Monsieur de Château-Renaud?” asked Louis in a voice
the emotion of which he vainly tried to dissimulate.