Ploch for a month at least, perhaps longer. Together with the great anticipated joy of possessing her without fear or obstacle, there mingled a keen uneasiness. I had no money, and I knew Juliette too well not to realize that she would not resign herself to a life like mine, and I foresaw expenditures which I was not in a position to make. What was to be done ? Not having enough courage to ask her directly, I answered :

" We have plenty of time to think of it, my dear. In about three months from now when we shall go back to Paris.

" Three months ! Why no, my poor little thing, I leave in a week. I am so sorry."

" Stay here, my little Juliette, I implore you, stay here altogether. Stay longer ! A fortnight I "

" It is impossible, really. Oh, don't be sad, my dear ! Don't cry ! If you cry I won't tell you something very nice."

She became more affectionate, nestled and resumed :

" Listen, my dear. I have only one thought, and that is to live with you! We shall leave Paris, we shall move into a small house, hidden so well, you see, that no one will know that we are living. All we need is an income of twenty thousand francs."

" Where do you expect me to get that much now? " I exclaimed discouraged.

" Now, listen to me," continued Juliette. " We need only twenty thousand francs. Well, I have figured it all out! In six months we shall have it.

Juliette looked at me with a mysterious air and repeated :

"We shall have it!"

" Please don't talk like that, my dear. You don't know how y