one who kept me from doing that. ... Do you understand?"

" My dear Mintie," interrupted Lirat, " I did not want you to tell me anything. I am neither your father nor your confessor. Do what you please, that does not concern me in the least."

I became excited.

" You are not my father, that is true. . . but you are my friend. . . and I owe you all the confidence in the world. . . . Forgive me ! . . . Yes, I live with Juliette, and I love her and she loves me ! ... Is it a crime to seek a little happiness?. . . Juliette is not the kind of a woman you thought she was. . . she has been calumniated most odiously, Lirat. . . . She is kind and honest. . . . Oh, don't smile. . . she is honest ! . . . She has some childish ways about her that would touch even you, Lirat. You don't like her because you don't know her. ... If you only knew how kind and considerate she is to me ! Juliette wants me to work. . . . She ardently believes in me, in my ability to create. . . . Why it was she who sent me here to see you. I was ashamed and afraid. . . . Yes she made me do that! Have a little consideration for her, Lirat. Love her a little, I beg of you ! "

Lirat became grave. He put his hand on my shoulder and, looking at me wistfully:

" My dear child ! " he said to me in a trembling voice, "why do you tell me all that?"

" Because it is the truth, my dear Lirat ! . . because I love you and I want to remain your friend. . . Show me that you are my friend no matter what happens. . . Here now, come to have dinner with us this evening, as we used to in the past, in my own house. Oh, please come ! "

" No,