I promised, smiling, and left her standing at the open door with Bambin tucked under her arm, looking after me down the street and nodding her pretty golden head.

Many days went by.  I concentrated my mind upon my books, and devoted the whole of my time and of my thoughts to preparation for my last two doctorate examinations, contenting myself with only a few passing inquiries of Noemi’s landlady concerning the welfare of her lodger, and with the assurance that both she and her dog were well and happy.

But one evening late in September, as I sat immersed in study, my ear caught the sound of light girlish footsteps on the staircase leading to my rooms; then came a momentary pause, a tap on the door, and the next minute Noemi herself, closely followed by the faithful Bambin, burst upon my solitude.

“I have found him, monsieur!” she cried breathlessly.  “I came at once to tell you,—­I knew you would be so glad!”

“What,—­Antoine?” I asked, rising and laying my book aside.

“Yes; Antoine!  I met him in the street.  He was dressed like a gentleman; no one would have known him except me!  He had no idea I was in Paris; he turned quite white with the surprise of seeing me.  And I told him what a search I had made for him, and how miserable I had been, and how good you were to me, and where I was living.  And he is coming to see me this very evening!  Oh, I am so happy!”

“You should have sent me word of this, Noemi,” said I gravely.  “You ought not to have come here.  It is very foolish—­”

She interrupted me with an imploring gesture.

“Oh, yes, I know; I am so sorry!  But just at the moment I forgot.  I longed to tell you about Antoine, and everything else went out of my head.  Don’t be cross with me!”

Could any one be angry with her?  She was thoroughly innocent, and natural, as innocence always is.

“My child, it is only of yourself I am thinking.  Antoine will teach you to be wiser by-and-by.  Tell him to come and see me.  I suppose you will be married soon now, won’t you?”

“Oh, yes, monsieur, very soon!  Antoine only wanted money, and he has plenty now; he has a business of his own, and is a patron himself!”

“Well, Noemi, I am very glad.  You must let me come to your wedding.  I shall call at your house tomorrow, and ask all about it; for no doubt Antoine will want you to settle the arrangements at once.  And now run home, for your own sake, my child.”

“Goodbye! monsieur.”  She paused at the door and added shyly, “You will really come tomorrow morning?”

“Yes, yes; before breakfast.  Goodbye, Noemi.”

III.

At about ten on the ensuing day I repaired to Noemi’s lodging, and found Madame Jeannel, the landlady, on the look-out for me.

“Noemi told me you were coming,” she said; “I will go and fetch her.  Her fiance was here last night, and she has a great deal to tell you.”