Part 86 (1/2)
”No; it was a friend of his--named Cherami.”
”Monsieur Cherami? Oh! the miserable wretch! It was he before--with Auguste. But what, in G.o.d's name, have I ever done to that man? or, rather, what have they whom I love done to him? However, my dear count, you will recover, there's no doubt of that; and then, by dint of love and loving attentions, I hope to make you forget an incident of which I was the first cause.”
”You think it isn't serious?”
”No, certainly not; it will amount to nothing. G.o.d! if the wound had been dangerous--if I had had reason to fear for your life--I don't know what would have become of me! Ah! when anything happens to those who are dear to us, that is the time we feel--how dear they are to us!”
”You are too kind.”
”Are you in pain?”
”Only a little; but I am exceedingly weak.”
”I will go, for I am capable of talking to you too much, in spite of myself, and that would tire you. Au revoir, my dear count! I will come every day, or send to inquire for you.”
”Thanks a thousand times!”
”May the thought of me be some company to you, as the thought of you will be a sweet consolation to me!--Mon Dieu! how hideous he is in bed!”
said the little woman to herself as she left the room.
LVII
CHERAMI ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR HIS MISTAKES
Three weeks pa.s.sed. The count was beginning to sit up and to walk about his room; but he was still very weak, and the blood that he had lost seemed to have carried away all that he had still retained of youthfulness, activity, and amiability. f.a.n.n.y had been to see him almost every day, although she was sadly bored all the time that she was with the wounded man; she was very careful, however, to conceal her ennui and to dissemble her yawns; on the contrary, she feigned to be more affectionate than ever; but his convalescence seemed to her interminable, especially because she did not fail to notice the change that had taken place in the humor of her future spouse, who seemed to have aged ten years in a fortnight.
Soon the count was able to drive out; whereupon f.a.n.n.y murmured, lowering her eyes:
”I think that we might now fix the day which is to unite us forever.”
But Monsieur de la Beriniere shook his head.
”I am not strong enough yet,” he replied.
And the young widow said to herself:
”I am very much afraid that he never will be strong enough again!”
Things were at this point, when Madame Monleard's maid informed her mistress one morning that Monsieur Cherami requested the honor of an interview with her.
”Monsieur Cherami!” cried f.a.n.n.y. ”What! that man dares show himself at my house! my evil genius! But, no matter! I am curious to know what he can have to say to me.--Show the gentleman in.”
Cherami, who had not omitted to make an elaborate toilet, came forward with a smiling face, saying:
”Madame Monleard did not expect a call from me?”
”No, monsieur, most a.s.suredly not. After what has taken place between you and Monsieur de la Beriniere, I did not expect to see you here; but, since you are here, I trust that you will be good enough to tell me why you challenged a man you did not know, and who had not injured you?”