he would call what I experienced "the affinity of fluids"; as for
me, I only know that I was fated to fall in love with Marguerite,
and that I foresaw it.

It is certainly the fact that she made a very definite impression
upon me, that many of my friends had noticed it and that they had
been much amused when they saw who it was that made this
impression upon me.

The first time I ever saw her was in the Place de la Bourse,
outside Susse's; an open carriage was stationed there, and a
woman dressed in white got down from it. A murmur of admiration
greeted her as she entered the shop. As for me, I was rivetted to
the spot from the moment she went in till the moment when she
came out again. I could see her through the shop windows
selecting what she had come to buy. I might have gone in, but I
dared not. I did not know who she was, and I was afraid lest she
should guess why I had come in and be offended. Nevertheless, I
did not think I should ever see her again.

She was elegantly dressed; she wore a muslin dress with many
flounces, an Indian shawl embroidered at the corners with gold
and silk flowers, a straw hat, a single bracelet, and a heavy
gold chain, such as was just then beginning to be the fashion.

She returned to her carriage and drove away. One of the shopmen
stood at the door looking after his elegant customer's carriage.
I went up to him and asked him what was the lady's name.

"Mademoiselle Marguerite Gautier," he replied. I dared not ask