Volume I Part 43 (1/2)
”Exactly--Sainte-Suzanne. Then I was not misinformed: you have been--you are that lady's lover?”
”I am not now; I have broken with her; I have entirely ceased to visit her.”
The business agent leaped on the young man's neck and embraced him, crying:
”Is it possible? Dear Edmond! You no longer love her; you have broken with her completely! In that case, you are not my rival!”
”Well, well! what then, is the matter with you, Monsieur Chamoureau?
what has taken hold of you? whence this outburst of joy? Can it be that you are in love with Thelenie?”
”I--no; I didn't say that; or, at all events, I ought not to say it; it's an impenetrable mystery. But still, if it were true, my dear friend--if I were secretly nouris.h.i.+ng that pa.s.sion in my heart--it would not make you angry with me?”
”I should think not! on the contrary, I would wish you all sorts of good luck in your love-affairs. Ah! I remember now what you said at the supper; that matchless creature, that woman who eclipsed all other women but who did not wish to be known, was she.”
”Well, yes, it was she; but she had made me swear not to say that I knew her. I am a wretch, a traitor! I break all my oaths!”
”Bah! in love, you know, that doesn't do any harm.”
”Say nothing about it to Freluchon, I entreat you.”
”I will be dumb, since that is your wis.h.!.+”
”Excellent Edmond! Your hand! I congratulate myself on being your friend.”
”And I, my dear Monsieur Chamoureau, in the capacity of friend, will venture to give you a little advice,--with which you will do what people generally do with advice--disregard it.”
”What is it?”
”Well, it is this: to be a little distrustful of your new conquest.
Between us, Madame Sainte-Suzanne is a dangerous woman.”
”Really? she is dangerous, you say? In what respect? Does she carry a stiletto about her, like the Italian women?”
”That is not what I mean. But she is very jealous. However, after all, I don't mean to speak ill of a woman who has shown me nothing but kindness; that would be ungrateful.--Au revoir, my dear Chamoureau; I must go to meet Amelia.”
”But first, my dear friend, I would like to ask your advice.”
”Some other time; I haven't time to-day.”
Edmond was about leaving the agent's office, when two ladies entered.
They were Madame Dalmont and her young friend, and they had called to ascertain whether Chamoureau had arranged for them the purchase of the little house at Ch.e.l.les.
The young man courteously stepped aside to allow the ladies to enter, and he had an opportunity to examine them at his ease. He noticed that Honorine was a very attractive person, without being exactly pretty; but when his eyes rested on Agathe, he did not consider her beauty, he did not a.n.a.lyze each of her features; but he was conscious of a sudden thrill of emotion, and discovered instantly in the girl's face an indefinable charm which enraptured him, dazzled him and brought about something very like a revolution in his whole being. He stood as if rooted to the spot, and did not think of going away.
”Monsieur,” said Honorine to Chamoureau, who gazed at her with a stupid air, ”we have heard nothing from you for three days, and I have come to find out why it is. Does Monsieur Courtivaux no longer wish to sell his house?”
”Oh! pardon, madame, a thousand pardons! Yes, yes! the little house at Ch.e.l.les; I remember now.”