And, as he insisted upon having an answer, she said: 

“What do you wish me to say, my friend?  I can only repeat what I said at first.  I think it strange that I have to learn of your projects from General Lariviere.”

He knew very well that she had not forgiven him; that she had remained cold and reserved toward him.  But he affected to think that she only pouted.

“My dear, I have explained it to you.  I have told you that when I met Lariviere I had just received a letter from Caumont, recalling my promise to hunt the fox in his woods, and I replied by return post.  I meant to tell you about it to-day.  I am sorry that General Lariviere told you first, but there was no significance in that.”

Her arms were lifted like the handles of a vase.  She turned toward him a glance from her tranquil eyes, which he did not understand.

“Then you are going?”

“Next week, Tuesday or Wednesday.  I shall be away only ten days at most.”

She put on her sealskin toque, ornamented with a branch of holly.

“Is it something that you can not postpone?”

“Oh, yes.  Fox-skins would not be worth anything in a month.  Moreover, Caumont has invited good friends of mine, who would regret my absence.”

Fixing her toque on her head with a long pin, she frowned.

“Is fox-hunting interesting?”

“Oh, yes, very.  The fox has stratagems that one must fathom.  The intelligence of that animal is really marvellous.  I have observed at night a fox hunting a rabbit.  He had organized a real hunt.  I assure you it is not easy to dislodge a fox.  Caumont has an excellent cellar.  I do not care for it, but it is generally appreciated.  I will bring you half a dozen skins.”

“What do you wish me to do with them?”

“Oh, you can make rugs of them.”

“And you will be hunting eight days?”

“Not all the time.  I shall visit my aunt, who expects me.  Last year at this time there was a delightful reunion at her house.  She had with her her two daughters and her three nieces with their husbands.  All five women are pretty, gay, charming, and irreproachable.  I shall probably find them at the beginning of next month, assembled for my aunt’s birthday, and I shall remain there two days.”

“My friend, stay as long as it may please you.  I should be inconsolable if you shortened on my account a sojourn which is so agreeable.”

“But you, Therese?”

“I, my friend?  I can take care of myself.”

The fire was languishing.  The shadows were deepening between them.  She said, in a dreamy tone: 

“It is true, however, that it is never prudent to leave a woman alone.”

He went near her, trying to see her eyes in the darkness.  He took her hand.

“You love me?” he said.

“Oh, I assure you that I do not love another but—­”

“What do you mean?”