The clatter of horses' hoofs was heard; the carriage was approaching rapidly. The servants on the box must have witnessed the whole occurrence; it was to them she had waved. During his wild chase he had seen her alone.
Now she walked towards the carriage. She held her handkerchief to her face; she was crying. The servant jumped down and opened the carriage door.
Frans turned away, desperate, his mind paralysed. Alice came up. She was carrying her own shawl and Mary's hat, and went straight towards the carriage without taking notice of him. When he attempted to join her, she waved him off.
The third day after the occurrence Frans called upon Alice. He was told that she was not at home. The following day he received the same answer. After this he was absent from Paris for some days; but immediately on his return he called again. "She has just gone out," answered the servant. But this time he simply pushed the man aside and went in.
Alice stood eagerly examining a collection of objects of art; table and chairs were covered with them, they stood about everywhere. "Alice--!" said Frans, gently and reproachfully. She started, and at that moment he caught sight of her father behind her. He at once came forward as if he had said nothing.
The art treasures were collected and laid aside, Frans assisting. Mr. Clerc left the room.
"Alice!" now repeated Frans Röy in the same reproachful tone. "You surely do not mean to close your door to me? And just when I am so unhappy?"
"We who have always been such good friends and had such good times together?"
Alice looked away from him and gave no answer.
"Even if I have behaved foolishly, we two surely know each other too well for that to separate us?"
"There are limits to everything," he heard her say.
He was silent for a moment. "Limits? limits? Come now, Alice. Between us there is surely no--"
Before he could say more she broke out: "It is inexcusable to behave in such a way before other people!" She was scarlet.
She turned away. "To treat me in such a manner before Mary----what must Mary think?"
Never until now had it occurred to him that he had behaved badly to her, to Alice, too; all this time he had thought only of Mary. Now, ashamed of himself, dreadfully ashamed of himself, he came forward.