"What, Mademoiselle, are you really going away?"

"Oh, yes, Monsieur."

"No, no," he said, as if he had been pricked by a pin, "Mademoiselle
shall not go."

I did not deign to answer. I was courteous, agreeable, but cold. He
turned and asked me if I always gave trouble.

"Yes, always."

* * * * *

We are going to the S----'s. I do not see M----. She is shut up at
home. This is what has happened--during the two months since the
C---- family arrived from Mexico, he has no longer written to her.

I know that people who say what I have just said are not popular. We
prefer those who, like Dina, veil what they know by a false
sentiment of sham delicacy and misplaced pity.

Listen carefully to these commonplace, but true words. C---- deserts
you. Write him a letter full of pride and withdraw with honour.

I am very sorry for M----. C----will leave Europe in three days.

Poor M----. This is what it means to love with the heart. I
understood at once when she told me that C---- had not written to
her for so long. On account of anonymous letters he received;