Agreeable  as  was  the  occupation  to  which  for
two  hours  he  had  devoted  himself,  M.  Moriaz  had
not  forgotten  the  existence  of  his  daughter  and  of
M.  Larinski.  He  knew  that  Antoinette  had  re-
paired to  Maisons  Lafitte  to  have  an  explanation
with  Mme.  de  Lorcy,  and  this  thought  cast  a
shadow  over  his  felicity.  He  hoped,  however,
that  this  interview  might  turn  out  according  to
his  wishes ;  that  the  Pole  star,  which  had  caused
him  so  much  disquietude,  might  disappear  forever
from  his  horizon.
Some  one  knocked  at  the  door  of  his  labora-
tory. "  Come  in  ! "  he  cried,  and  turning  he  saw

199


Samuel  Brohl  and   Company

Antoinette  standing  upon  the  threshold.  He
gazed  at  her  fixedly.  Her  eye  was  so  ani-
mated, her  countenance  so  beaming,  so  lumi-
nous, that  involuntarily  he  dropped  his  arms  and
let  fall,  as  he  did  so,  a  little  vial  he  held  in  his
hands.
"  Naughty  girl,  to  cause  such  havoc  in  her
father's  laboratory  ! "  she  cried,  gaily.
"  The  harm  done  is  not  very  great,"  he  replied  ;
and  he  began  diligently  brushing  up  the  fragments
of  the  vial.  It  was  his  way  of  gaining  time,  but
he  did  it  so  awkwardly  that  she  snatched  the  brush
from  his  hands  :  "  This  is  the  way  to  sweep,"  said
she.
