Part 33 (2/2)
We talked in this manner for some moments, and then sat down to table.
My father was charming all dinner time.
I was in a hurry to get back to Bougival to tell Marguerite about this fortunate change, and I looked at the clock every moment.
”You are watching the time,” said my father, ”and you are impatient to leave me. O young people, how you always sacrifice sincere to doubtful affections!”
”Do not say that, father; Marguerite loves me, I am sure of it.”
My father did not answer; he seemed to say neither yes nor no.
He was very insistent that I should spend the whole evening with him and not go till the morning; but Marguerite had not been well when I left her. I told him of it, and begged his permission to go back to her early, promising to come again on the morrow.
The weather was fine; he walked with me as far as the station. Never had I been so happy. The future appeared as I had long desired to see it. I had never loved my father as I loved him at that moment.
Just as I was leaving him, he once more begged me to stay. I refused.
”You are really very much in love with her?” he asked.
”Madly.”
”Go, then,” and he pa.s.sed his hand across his forehead as if to chase a thought, then opened his mouth as if to say something; but he only pressed my hand, and left me hurriedly, saying:
”Till to-morrow, then!”
Chapter 22
It seemed to me as if the train did not move. I reached Bougival at eleven.
Not a window in the house was lighted up, and when I rang no one answered the bell. It was the first time that such a thing had occurred to me. At last the gardener came. I entered. Nanine met me with a light.
I went to Marguerite's room.
”Where is madame?”
”Gone to Paris,” replied Nanine.
”To Paris!”
”Yes, sir.”
”When?”
”An hour after you.”
”She left no word for me?”
”Nothing.”
<script>