“Take care!” he said.

“Of what?” asked the young girl, with a troubled voice.  “What have I to fear now?”

“What do you wish?” resumed Panine, with old firmness, and with a gesture of impatience.

“I wish to speak with you immediately.”

“You see that is impossible.”

“I must.”

Cayrol and Herzog approached.  Serge smiled at Jeanne with a sign of the head which meant “Yes.”  The young girl turned away in silence, awaiting the fulfilment of the promise made.

Cayrol took her by the hand with tender familiarity.

“What were you saying to the happy man who has gained the object of his dreams, Mademoiselle?  It is not to him you must speak, but to me, to give me hope.  The moment is propitious; it is the day for betrothals.  You know how much I love you; do me the favor of no longer repulsing me as you have done hitherto!  If you would be kind, how charming it would be to celebrate the two weddings on the same day.  One church, one ceremony, one splendid feast would unite two happy couples.  Is there nothing in this picture to entice you?”

“I am not easily enticed, as you know,” said Jeanne, in a firm voice, trying to smile.

Micheline and Madame Desvarennes had drawn near.

“Come, Cayrol,” said Serge, in a tone of command; “I am happy to-day; perhaps I may succeed in your behalf as I have done in my own.  Let me plead your cause with Mademoiselle de Cernay?”

“With all my heart.  I need an eloquent pleader,” sighed the banker, shaking his head sadly.

“And you, Mademoiselle, will you submit to the trial?” asked the Prince, turning toward Jeanne.  “We have always been good friends, and I shall be almost a brother to you.  This gives me some right over your mind and heart, it seems to me.  Do you authorize me to exercise it?”

“As you like, sir,” answered Jeanne, coldly.  “The attempt is novel.  Who knows?  Perhaps it will succeed!”

“May Heaven grant it,” said Cayrol.  Then, approaching Panine: 

“Ah! dear Prince, what gratitude I shall owe you!  You know,” added he in a whisper, “if you need a few thousand louis for wedding presents—­”

“Go, go, corrupter!” replied Serge, with the same forced gayety; “you are flashing your money in front of us.  You see it is not invincible, as you are obliged to have recourse to my feeble talents.  But know that I am working for glory.”

And turning toward Madame Desvarennes he added:  “I only ask a quarter of an hour.”

“Don’t defend yourself too much,” said Micheline in her companion’s ear, and giving her a tender kiss which the latter did not return.

“Come with me,” said Micheline to Pierre, offering him her arm; “I want to belong to you alone while Serge is pleading with Jeanne.  I will be your sister as formerly.  If you only knew how I love you!”