Volume Ii Part 40 (1/2)
”Not at all, madame; but it occurred to me that we had nothing to say to each other, and in that case----”
”You are mistaken, monsieur--I have many things to say to you; I am not like you! Oh! don't be alarmed; look in all directions--we are alone, quite alone; no one will see you talking with me, and your mistress will not make a scene!”
”I have no mistress, madame; I love an honorable, virtuous young lady, and I expect to make her my wife when I am in a position to a.s.sure her a happy and tranquil future at least, if not a brilliant one. So you see that there is no question of a mistress.”
Thelenie seemed to reflect for a few moments; then she replied, a.s.suming an air of good-fellows.h.i.+p:
”Oh! that makes a difference; in that case, forgive me, Edmond; people have spoken about these ladies to me in rather a sneering way; I know that the world is very cruel, that slander is its sweetest recreation.
But if you propose to marry this young lady, I have no doubt that she deserves all your love; and I will not venture to criticise your choice.”
This was said with an air of sincerity which instantly changed Edmond's sentiments; his expression became trustful once more, and he offered his hand to Thelenie.
”Good!” he said; ”I like to hear you talk so; I have never been willing to believe, myself, in the spitefulness of women; I am not like Freluchon, who always thinks that he is being deceived.”
”Oh! but Freluchon always deserves to be.”
”Then you are no longer angry with me?”
”Angry with you? of course not. Why should I bear you a grudge? our liaison came to an end, because everything must come to an end. Besides, I am married; I have married thirty thousand francs a year; do you suppose that I am not content with my lot?”
”I am overjoyed to find you like this.”
”Frankly, you must have a large supply of self-esteem, to think that you would find me otherwise, and that I still sighed for you!”
”I did not think that; but you made so many threats----”
”Ha! ha! ha! I thought that you were better acquainted with the human heart. But you are rea.s.sured now, aren't you? You are no longer afraid of my stabbing you?”
”It never went so far as that!”
”You will no longer avoid me as soon as you see me?”
”Of course not!”
”Because one is no longer a lover is no reason for not being a friend, is it? I have always thought not. You will come to see me; I insist upon it; otherwise I shall think that you still hate me.”
”I do not go into society here; I go only to Madame Dalmont's.”
”But we are not new acquaintances; was not my husband your friend? If you should refuse to come to see us, it might suggest strange ideas to him, knowing--and he does know it--that you are living in this neighborhood.”
”I thought that Chamoureau had no ideas that were not agreeable to you.”
”Mon Dieu! that man loves me; it is his greatest pleasure to gratify my wishes; don't charge that to him as a crime! And because a woman has led rather an agitated life, do you suppose that when she is once married, she can't behave herself and make her husband happy?”
”I think that one can always behave oneself when one has firmly determined to do so, and that it is never too late to atone for one's errors.”
”Ah! it's very lucky that you are willing to admit that. When will you dine with us?”
”I tell you again, I don't go into society; I give all my time to the person to whom I am paying court; that is natural certainly.”
”I fancy that she does not demand that you should break with all your acquaintances.”