"If we are friends, there is nothing further to expect," I said, holding
out my hand frankly to the Little Countess. I felt that she was pressing
it lightly, and the conversation ended there. We had reached the top of
the hills; it was now quite dark, and we galloped all the rest of the way
to the chateau.

As I was coming down from my room for dinner, I met Madame de Malouet in
the vestibule.

"Well!" she said, laughingly, "did you conform to the prescription?"

"Rigidly, madam."

"You showed yourself subjugated?

"I did, madam."

"Excellent! She is satisfied now, and so are you."

"Amen!" I said.

The evening passed off without further incident.

I took pleasure in doing for Madame de Palme some trifling services which
she was no longer asking. She left the dance two or three times to come
and address me some good-natured jests that passed through her brain, and
when I withdrew, she followed me to the door with a smiling and cordial
look.

I ask you now, friend Paul, to sift the precise meaning and the moral of