Part 20 (2/2)
”You know that I shouldn't be able to sleep there.”
”Well, then, it won't do for you to come and be pettish here because you have seen a man in my box.”
”It is not for that reason.”
”Yes, it is. I know; and you are wrong, so let us say no more about it. You will go back with Prudence after the theatre, and you will stay there till I call. Do you understand?”
”Yes.”
How could I disobey?
”You still love me?”
”Can you ask?”
”You have thought of me?”
”All day long.”
”Do you know that I am really afraid that I shall get very fond of you?
Ask Prudence.”
”Ah,” said she, ”it is amazing!”
”Now, you must go back to your seat. The count will be coming back, and there is nothing to be gained by his finding you here.”
”Because you don't like seeing him.”
”No; only if you had told me that you wanted to come to the Vaudeville to-night I could have got this box for you as well as he.”
”Unfortunately, he got it for me without my asking him, and he asked me to go with him; you know well enough that I couldn't refuse. All I could do was to write and tell you where I was going, so that you could see me, and because I wanted to see you myself; but since this is the way you thank me, I shall profit by the lesson.”
”I was wrong; forgive me.”
”Well and good; and now go back nicely to your place, and, above all, no more jealousy.”
She kissed me again, and I left the box. In the pa.s.sage I met the count coming back. I returned to my seat.
After all, the presence of M. de G. in Marguerite's box was the most natural thing in the world. He had been her lover, he sent her a box, he accompanied her to the theatre; it was all quite natural, and if I was to have a mistress like Marguerite I should have to get used to her ways.
Nonetheless, I was very unhappy all the rest of the evening, and went away very sadly after having seen Prudence, the count, and Marguerite get into the carriage, which was waiting for them at the door.
However, a quarter of an hour later I was at Prudence's. She had only just got in.
Chapter 13
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