Part 38 (1/2)
”Oh! monsieur, I am fifty-five.”
”That is the very prime of life, the age at which a man makes most conquests, because he knows better how to go about it. Ah! I would like to be fifty-five! I hope to get there, but I haven't yet. You have some means?”
”Five or six thousand francs a year, which I made in dried fruit.”
”A very pretty business!--That isn't a magnificent fortune, but it is that pleasant mediocrity so highly praised by Horace. Do you know Horace?”
”Yes, I have seen it played at the Theatre-Francais.”
”Ah! I guess we will stop there! Have you children, excellent Courb.i.+.c.hon?”
”I have a daughter, monsieur,--a married daughter; I have set her up in business.”
”In dried fruit?”
”No, monsieur; she is in olive oil.”
”Oh! the deuce! that's very different! But it will preserve her longer.
You have no other daughter?”
”No, monsieur.”
”What a pity!”
”Why so, monsieur?”
”Because I feel so strongly attracted to you that I would have asked her hand in marriage. Faith! yes, I would have renounced my liberty, which I have never done yet--but there's an end to everything. Does your son-in-law enjoy good health?”
”Yes, monsieur, excellent!”
”So much the worse!”
”Why so much the worse?”
”Because, if he should die soon, I might marry his widow.”
”Oh! what an idea, monsieur!”
”He is in good health, so there's an end of that; let us say no more about it. Don't be alarmed; I have no idea of killing him. If he had insulted me, I don't say----”
”A thousand pardons, monsieur; but I should be very glad to know your name.”
”My name? So you have forgotten it, have you? But I was called by name often enough at young Blanquette's wedding party--while I was dancing with Aunt Merlin.”
”I don't remember it.”
”My name is Arthur Cherami.”
Courb.i.+.c.hon, thinking that his companion was addressing him as his dear friend (_cher ami_), replied: