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Rh d'Emerange was below in his carriage and begged to speak to Monsieur Le Moine or his clerk.

"There was no alternativeValentine could do no otherwise than go on the instant; and he had neither courage nor presence of mind sufficient to destroy his note first, or to take it with him.

"No sooner had he closed the door, than like a hawk on her prey Julie darted on the paper, and with an eager eye devoured the following words:

"'Come to me when your office closesI shall be alone to-night, and to-morrow night; Aurore.'

"When Valentine returned, he found Julie sitting exactly as he had left herand as he took his seat at the desk, he glanced his eye over the papers, and saw the note lying just where he had thrown it. 'I was mistaken,' he said to himself, 'she has no suspicion;' and he took up his pen and continued his work, whilst she, shortly afterwards, with an air of perfect insouciance, left the room.

"It so happened, however, that on that particular evening Valentine was unable to avail himself of his mistress's invitation, being under the necessity of preparing some papers of