Part 52 (1/2)

The waiter appeared, panting for breath, and cried:

”I beg your pardon, monsieur, for being so long, but we didn't have the change for a hundred francs here, and I had to go a long way to get it.

Lord! what a nuisance change is! Count it, monsieur.”

”And the time? Sacrebleu! tell me what time it is, will you?”

”Oh! I didn't think to look, monsieur.”

”Then go and look now, villain! beast!”

”Look first and see if the change is right.”

”I don't care a d.a.m.n about my change. The time, you rascal, the time, at once!”

Cherami pushed the waiter out of the room and impatiently awaited his return, muttering again:

”Ah! how well I understand Nourjahad's feeling!”

”Monsieur, it has struck the half-hour; it's three minutes past,” cried the waiter.

”At last! that's very lucky! Off with you, then!”

”But is monsieur's change all right? I want to be sure.”

”What's that? yes, blackguard, it's all right; here are two francs for you; and now, clear out!”

”Shall I come back and tell monsieur the time again?”

Cherami half rose from his seat; only half, but the waiter understood, and fled.

The two letters were on the table; having thrown away the end of his cigar, Cherami took the one which was for himself, saying:

”It's very strange; I really feel a sort of emotion. Come, no nonsense; let's see what there is inside!”

He opened the letter and read:

”'My dear Monsieur:--When you read these words, I shall be dead---- '

”Dead!” cried Cherami, striking the table violently with his clenched fist. ”Nonsense! it isn't possible; I must have read it wrong! but, no; that's what it says: 'I shall be dead.' Let's go on:

”'I had a very respectable little fortune, but it wasn't enough for me; I speculated on the Bourse, and I had bad luck; I married, hoping that a woman's love would change the course of my ideas, and that an attractive home would satisfy my ambition. Unluckily, I was mistaken. The person whom I married has one of those emotionless hearts with which it is impossible to give play to one's feelings; after a week of wedlock, I found that she had not the slightest love for me, but that she desired to cut a figure in society, and to eclipse all other women. Thereupon I speculated more wildly than ever, in order to gratify my vanity, if nothing more. Ten days ago, I gave a great party, to try to disguise my condition. I still hoped to extricate myself; I risked all that I had! I lost, and I am ruined!--and, as I haven't your philosophy, as I could not determine to live in poverty after having tasted the pleasures of luxury, I am going to blow out my brains. Be good enough to call upon my wife and prepare her gently for the news; I do not think, however, that her heart will suffer most.

”'I ask your pardon for the trouble I cause you, but I have formed this judgment of you: that you are a man and will keep the promise you made me. Receive my last adieu.

”'AUGUSTE MONLeARD.'”