Part 34 (1/2)

”Monsieur,” said Firmin, seizing Giraud's arm and squeezing it hard, ”pray go to all those people who have made such remarks, and tell them from me that they are blackguards; that, although that young woman is not married, she is none the less worthy of esteem; that she is a thousand times more respectable than many lawful wives; and should I say to the ladies here, in the words of the Scriptures: 'Let her who is without sin among you cast the first stone,' I fancy, monsieur, that even your wife herself would not dare to stone my poor Marguerite.”

Giraud was sorely embarra.s.sed; he realized what a fool he had made of himself, and he confounded himself in apologies. But Ernest absolutely insisted that he should point out the people who had made the remarks, and the business agent hastened to designate Belan. Thereupon Ernest started toward the little man; I tried in vain to hold him back; he would not listen to me. I followed him, to try to adjust the affair.

Belan was in the act of handing a gla.s.s of orgeat to his wife. Ernest brushed roughly against him, and jostled him so that the gla.s.s and its contents fell upon the superb Armide's dress. She uttered an exclamation; her mother uttered two. Belan turned to Ernest and murmured:

”What the deuce! be careful what you are doing!”

Ernest simply smiled and said:

”That was very unlucky!”

Tall Armide saw the smile, and said to her husband:

”That man did it on purpose; he doesn't even condescend to deny it.”

And the mother-in-law added:

”I trust, Monsieur de Belan, that this is not the end of this business, and that my daughter's dress will not be ruined with impunity. This gentleman must apologize,--he must!”

Belan had become much less belligerent since he was married; however, he left his wife and walked up to Ernest, who had halted a few steps away.

”Monsieur, you have spoiled my wife's dress, and I am surprised that you do not at least apologize, like a man of breeding.”

”Monsieur, you and your wife have tried to destroy my wife's reputation; a dress may be washed, but slanderous words are not to be effaced for a long while; so that it is for you, monsieur, to apologize to me.”

Belan was speechless. I made haste to intervene between them.

”My dear Ernest,” I said, ”Belan is guilty of thoughtlessness only; he has simply repeated what he overheard.”

”Certainly; I only repeated what Madame Blemont told me,” said Belan. ”I invented nothing. Notwithstanding that, monsieur, if you demand satisfaction----”

”No, no, Belan; Ernest sees plainly that I am the only one with whom he has to deal, and you will offend me seriously by interfering in matters which concern myself alone.”

Belan walked away to join his ladies. I do not know what he said to them, but he soon left the ball with them. As they went out, his mother-in-law cast a withering glance at Ernest.

I had remained by his side; he was lost in thought and said nothing to me. I first broke the silence.

”Ernest, my wife is the cause of all your disagreeable experiences this evening. I cannot explain the motives which have led her to act thus. I do not need to tell you that I disapprove of her conduct; but that probably will not suffice, and I am ready to give you satisfaction.”

”No, my dear Blemont; we are not going to fight just because your wife has made some unkind remarks; I do not need to have you explain her motives, for I understand them perfectly.”

”You understand them?”

”I can guess them, at all events. Your wife is jealous of Marguerite.”

”Who can have told you that?”

”Look you, my dear fellow; a man does not get to be an author without studying the human heart a little, and especially the female heart.”

”It is only too true; my wife is horribly jealous of all the women whom I knew before my marriage. But for that, do you suppose that I would not have invited you and your wife to come to see us?”