Volume II Part 10 (1/2)
”Why, to be sure I do. When I learned that the next room was let, I asked to whom!”
”Yes, when people meet us together, no doubt, as you say, they will remark: 'What a lucky fellow that Rudolph is!' and will envy me.”
”So much the better.”
”They will think me perfectly happy.”
”Of course they will; and so much the better!”
”And if I should not be so happy as I seem?”
”What does that matter, provided they believe it; men require nothing further than mere outward show.”
”But your reputation?”
Miss Dimpleton burst into an immoderate fit of laughter.
”The reputation of a grisette! Would any one believe in such a phenomenon?” answered she. ”If I had father or mother, brother or sister, for them I should be careful of what people would say: but I am alone in the world, and it's my own look out. As long as I am satisfied with myself, I don't care a snap for others!”
”But still I should be very uncomfortable.”
”What for?”
”In being thought happy in having you for a companion, while, on the contrary, I love you. It would be something like taking dinner with Papa Cretu--eating dry bread, whilst a cookery book was being read to me.”
”Nonsense, nonsense! You will be very happy to live after my fas.h.i.+on.
I shall prove so mild, grateful, and unwearying, that you will say: 'After all, it is as well to pa.s.s my Sunday, with her as with any one else.' If you should be disengaged in the evenings, during the week, and it would not annoy you, you might pa.s.s them in my room, and have the advantage of my fire and lamp, you could hire romances, and read them aloud to me. Better than go and lose your money at billiards.
Otherwise, if you were kept late at your business, or you liked better to go to the _cafe_, you could wish me good-night on your return, if I were still up. But should I be in bed, at an early hour next day I would say good-morning, by tapping at the wall to waken you. M.
Germain, my last neighbor, spent all his evenings in that manner with me, and did not complain; he read all Walter Scott's works to me, which were very interesting. Sometimes on Sunday, when the weather was bad, instead of leaving home, he bought something nice, and we made a downright banquet in my room; after which we amused ourselves with reading, and I was almost as much pleased as if I had been at the theater. This is to show you that it would not be difficult to live with me, and that I will do what I can to make things pleasant and agreeable. And then, you, who talk of illness, if ever you should be laid up, I'll be a real Sister of Charity; only ask the Morels what sort of a nurse I am! So, you see, you are not aware of all your happiness; it is as good as a lucky hit in the lottery to have me for a neighbor.”
”That is true, I have always been lucky; but, speaking of M. Germain, where is he now?”
”In Paris, I believe.”
”Then you never see him now?”
”Since he left this house, he has not been to see me.”
”But where does he live, and what is he doing?”
”Why do you ask those questions, neighbor?”
”Because I feel jealous of him,” said Rudolph, smiling, ”and I would--”
”Jealous!” exclaimed Miss Dimpleton, laughing. ”There is no reason for that, poor fellow!”
”Seriously, then, I have the greatest interest in knowing the address of M. Germain; you know where he lives, and I may, without boasting, add, that I am incapable of abusing the secret I ask of you; it will be for his interest also.” ”Seriously, neighbor, I believe you wish every good to M. Germain, but he made me promise not to give his address to any one; therefore, be a.s.sured, that as I do not give it to you, it is because I cannot. You ought not to be angry with me; if you had intrusted a secret to me, you would be pleased to find I acted as I am now doing.”
”But--”