Part 16 (1/2)
”Go to the Devil, then!”
And with this pious e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.i.o.n he continued his course.
”Who is that gentleman?” inquired Louis.
”That is D----, one of my friends; a very cheerful youth, though he is the manager of one of our most respectable papers.”
”Monsieur D----!” exclaimed Louis. ”Do you know _him?_”
”Certainly. I have known him for some years.”
”And is he the person with whom you are invited to sup this evening?”
”Yes, the same.”
”Then it was to his house you intended to take me?”
”Yes.”
”Then that alters the case. I accept, and with very great pleasure.”
”All right. That settles the question.”
”Perhaps, after all, I ought not to go,” muttered Louis, smiling sadly. ”But you remember what I said yesterday about my destiny. Here is the proof. I should have done better not to have come here this evening.”
At this moment we again encountered D----. ”My dear fellow,” I said, ”I have changed my mind!”
”And you will join us?”
”Yes.”
”Bravo! But I ought to mention one thing.”
”That is?”
”That whoever sups with us to-night, sups with us again to-morrow evening.”
”By what law of society is that?”
”By the laws of the wager made with Chateau Renaud.”
I felt Louis' arm quiver as it rested on mine--I turned round; but though his face was deadly pale, it was impa.s.sable.
”What is the wager?” I inquired.
”Oh, it would occupy too much time to repeat here, and, besides, some one interested might overhear, and it might thus be lost.”
”What wonderful discretion you possess! At three, then.”
”At three!”