Volume I Part 9 (1/2)
The little _debardeur_ ran away from Edmond, to join the dance; and almost at the same moment the young man's arm was taken by a little blue domino, who said to him:
”She's not the one you are looking for; whom are you looking for, Edmond Didier?”
”Ah! you know me, do you?”
”Yes, I know you very well; also your friend Freluchon with whom you came to the ball. But I don't know the tall greenhorn disguised as a Spaniard, who came with you two, and who was on your arm just now. Mon Dieu! what a stupid-looking creature! and how wretchedly he carries his costume! Such a figure too! Who on earth is that scarecrow?”
”Do you know that you are very inquisitive? you ask such a lot of questions one on top of another!”
”It's because I like to know about things. Won't you answer me?”
”Oh, yes: the Spaniard is a friend of Freluchon, very well-to-do, a business agent, who has just lost his wife and is now trying to find a place for his heart.”
”For life?”
”Oh, no! just for a term of years. If you desire to form an agreeable connection, I commend him to you.”
”Thanks; he's too clumsy; he does nothing but pull up his boot-flaps, and I am tempted to offer him a pair of garters to keep them in place.”
”You would do him a great service.”
”Is he better looking without his nose?”
”He's not at all bad-looking.”
”What is the idiot's name?”
”It is perfectly evident that you aspire to make a victim of him.”
”Oh, no! you are mistaken; but perhaps I might like to have a little fun with him. What's his name?”
”What I am going to do is rather indiscreet perhaps, but as he will be delighted to be mystified, I will tell you his name: Chamoureau.”
”Cha----”
”Moureau.”
”Oh! how well the name suits the man! Chalumeau would be even better, for he looks like a stick; but never mind, Chamoureau is not bad. Ha!
ha!”
”And now tell me how you happen to know me?”
”Well; try to guess.”
”Faith! I confess that I haven't the faintest idea.”
”You have answered only one of my questions. Won't you tell me now what woman you are looking for?”
”Oh, no; such things aren't to be mentioned! As to the Spaniard's name, that's all right! but I won't tell you the name of the person I would like to meet; guess it, if you can.”