Volume I Part 13 (1/2)
As he pursued these reflections, Chamoureau walked along the corridor on the second floor, looking into every box in search of his pink domino.
He had his face against one of the little panes of gla.s.s, when he felt a hand on his arm; he turned; a Norman peasant, masked, was hanging on his arm, and she said to him in a wheedling voice:
”Here you are, Chamoureau, my sweet Chamoureau! Ah! what a good idea to take off your false nose, and how much better-looking you are now! When one has a face like yours, one shouldn't conceal it; do you hear, my friend?”
Our widower felt a thrill of pleasure at hearing such compliments addressed to himself. He would gladly have kissed the mask worn by the Norman, to show his satisfaction, but he contented himself with pressing her hand and arm most tenderly, saying:
”What, my charming peasant--do you know me?”
”Do I know you! Why bless my soul! who doesn't know you, O Chamoureau of my heart? It was wholly on your account, to meet you, that I came here.”
”Really? But I had no idea myself that I should come. Our party wasn't made up till very late in the evening.”
”But I was certain that you would come; my little finger told me.”[G]
”Is your little finger such a magician as that?”
”Yes, for it told me that you would be disguised as a Spaniard; that you would have top boots which would cause you much annoyance----”
”By Jove! this is marvelous!”
”That you would make love to a pink domino and a shepherdess; I saw you with them just now.”
”It's the truth; I don't deny it.”
”You even offered them candy.”
”Offered! you mean that they asked me for it.”
”It's the same thing. You gave them each a stick; so I hope you'll give me one too, as I came to the ball solely to see you.”
”If you came to the ball solely to see me, you ought not to care for candy.”
”I care to have you as generous to me as to others--as gallant--as attentive--as amorous; will you be? Tell me, O my Chamoureau! for I love you, I am on fire for you, as you see!”
”Really, lovely Norman, you manifest sentiments which flatter me; but how do you know me?”
”If I should tell you, you would be greatly surprised; but I won't tell you--not here, at all events; later, when you come to my house, we shall see.”
”You have a house?”
”Yes, my boy, one of the very swellest in the Chaussee d'Antin.”
”Then you are rich?”
”Who isn't rich to-day? unless he's as stupid as a pot!”
”True; your reflection is very clever. And you are free?”
”As free as air!”