Volume II Part 25 (2/2)
We exchanged a glance, and no more was said about it The painter told us that supper was his favourite ive him the pleasure of our company Like all quacks, he possessed an immense quantity of letters and testimonials frohest coave descriptions for new pictures ordered from him His portraits, by the way, had to be paid for in advance
Two or three days afterwards I ly upbraidedyet availed myself of her uncle's invitation to supper; the niece was a daintyvery flattering to my vanity I promised I would come the next day In less than a week it turned out a serious engage full of wit and well disposed to enjoy herself, had no love forthat I was caught, I felt it was the only thing I could do
One day that I was alone inof her, the door was suddenly opened without anyone being announced, and a youngme time to ask any questions, he said toyou at the supper-table of M
Sa you to excuse me, sir, I did not at first recollect you”
”It is natural, for your eyes are always on Mdlle Samson”
”Very likely, but youcreature”
”I have no difficulty whatever in agreeing with you; to my misery, I know it but too well”
”You are in love with her?”
”Alas, yes! and I say, again, to ain her love?”
”That is the very thing I have been striving for since last year, and I was beginning to have some hope when your arrival has reduced me to despair”
”I have reduced you to despair?”
”Yes, sir”
”I am very sorry, but I cannot help it”
”You could easily help it; and, if you would allow reatly oblige ht never put your foot in the house again”
”That is a rather singular proposal, but I agree that it is truly the only thing I can do if I have a real wish to oblige you Do you think, however, that in that case you would succeed in gaining her affection?”
”Then it will be ain, and I will take care of the rest”
”I reat service; but you ular opinion of ”
”Yes, sir, I adreat sense and sound intellect, and after considering the subject deeply I have thought that you would put yourself in my place; that you would not wish to irl who can have inspired you with but a passing fancy, whilst my only wish is to secure the happiness or theher existence with mine”
”But suppose that I should intend, like you, to ask her in e?”
”Then we should both be worthy of pity, and one of us would have ceased to exist before the other obtained her, for as long as I shall live Mdlle Samson shall not be the wife of another”