Zouhra thereupon gave another shriek.

All this had occurred with the rapidity of a flash of lightning. My

rival, closing his window, had disappeared like a jack-in-the-box.

We were alone.

"Ah! ha!" I then said to the unworthy creature, "so this is your

conduct----"

She answered nothing; she still hoped, no doubt, that she would be able

to deny the facts, with the brazen assurance of the woman who, although

surprised in the act, puts on a grand air, and waxes wrathful as at an

insult.

"Who was that man up there," I resumed, "with whom you were

corresponding?"

"A man!" she finally answered with her strong Turkish accent which I

will spare you. "I don't know what you mean--I don't know any men--I

have never seen any!"

"But he was at that window--there."

"Well, what does that prove?" she retorted. "Does that concern me? Can I

prevent people from coming to their windows?"

"No, but when they are there you might prevent yourself from making

signs to them; and especially from returning the kisses they send to

you."

"Signs, I? I made signs!" she exclaimed. "Ah! that is really too bad!

Who do you take me for then?"

"Why, I surprised you, and I stayed your hand when you had your fingers

raised to your lips."

"Well, can't I put my fingers to my lips now? What, am I not to have the

right to make a gesture, without accounting for it, without being

insulted? Did any one ever see a woman treated in such an odious

fashion? Well, tie me up then!"

You are acquainted with women's tactics, my dear Louis: they are always

the same in such cases. I put a stop to it all after letting her deny

the facts.

"Come, come," I said to her. "This is not the time for you to play the

part of a persecuted victim. For the last half hour I have been watching

you from behind those curtains. I saw everything--with my opera-glass,"

I added, showing her the glass in proof of my assertion.

Struck by this victorious demonstration she stood there in

consternation. For a moment I enjoyed the effect I had produced and then

continued: "I saw the letter which he showed you, and the one which you have in

your pocket--I can still see a bit of it peeping out."

On hearing this she became very red; and with incredible swiftness drew

forth the incriminating missive, which she tore into a hundred pieces.




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