Part 73 (1/2)
A GENTLEMAN IN BED
About noon the next day, Cherami was walking in front of Madame Monleard's house.
”I don't know where he perches--this Comte de la Beriniere, whom Gustave told me about yesterday; but by doing sentry duty in front of this house, I can't fail to find out; this count will undoubtedly come to pay his respects to the little woman he's going to marry; he's rich, he will come in his carriage, and I am an awkward fellow if I can't learn the master's address from a servant.”
Everything happened as Cherami had antic.i.p.ated: about one o'clock, a stylish coupe drew up in front of f.a.n.n.y's door, and a gentleman, who was no longer young, alighted from it; despite his years, he was dressed in the latest fas.h.i.+on and exhaled a powerful odor of perfumery.
”That's my man!” said Cherami to himself; and, having watched the count enter the house, he accosted the footman, who was yawning against a post.
”Wasn't that Monsieur le Comte de la Beriniere whom I just saw get out of this carriage?”
”Yes, monsieur; it was he.”
”Ah! I said to myself: 'Why, there's an old acquaintance of mine!' yet I was afraid of making a mistake, so I didn't dare to speak to him; but I will go and renew my acquaintance with him to-morrow morning. Where does the dear count live now?”
”Rue de la Ville-l'eveque, just at the beginning, near the Madeleine.”
”Very good; I can see it from here. How late can I find the count at home in the morning?”
”Monsieur gets up late. He seldom goes out before noon.”
”Infinitely obliged. I am sure that the dear count will be delighted to see me to-morrow morning.”
”If monsieur would tell me his name, I would tell my master.”
”No; bless my soul, no! I want to surprise him; don't say anything to him about it.”
Cherami returned to his Hotel du Bel-Air, saying to himself:
”Gustave doesn't choose to fight with his rival, but I'll wager that it's from some lingering feeling of delicacy, of kindness for that little sinner of a f.a.n.n.y! He says to himself: 'Let her be a countess, if that will make her happy.'--Infernal nonsense, I call it. And as I have no reason for being agreeable to that lady, I trust that I shall be able to prevent her putting this new affront on my young friend.”
The next day, having dressed himself with care, Cherami took the Paris omnibus and exchanged into one for the Madeleine; at half-past ten, he arrived at the Comte de la Beriniere's door, recognized the footman of the preceding day, and said to him:
”Here I am; take me in to your master.”
”Monsieur le comte is still in bed.”
”Very well! wake him.”
”He's awake, for he has already had his chocolate.”
”As he's awake, there's no need of his getting up to receive me; I can talk with him perfectly well in bed. Go and tell him that an old friend of his wishes to see him.”
”Your name, monsieur?”
”I have already told you that I wanted to surprise him; consequently, I don't choose to send in my name.”
The servant went to his master and delivered the message. Monsieur de la Beriniere had not begun to think of rising; he had taken the young widow to the Opera the night before, and had played the attentive gallant all the evening, and he was at an age when such service is very tiresome. So he was reposing in bed from the fatigues of the night.
”That young widow is an adorable creature,” he mused. ”Marriage will make me settle down; I shall lead a virtuous life, and it will do me good.”