Part 25 (1/2)
”A miracle which makes you travel fifteen leagues an hour in exchange for a hundred and thirty-three francs first-cla.s.s, and is called the Ma.r.s.eilles express!”
”I beg your pardon, my dear friend. I have not introduced you to Monsieur and Mademoiselle Herzog.”
”I have already had the honor of meeting Mademoiselle Herzog at Madame Desvarennes's,” said Marechal, bowing to the young girl, without appearing to notice the father.
”You were going to the villa?” asked Savinien. ”We, too, were going. But how is my aunt? When did you leave her?”
”I have not left her.”
”What's that you say?”
”I say that she is here.”
Savinien let his arms drop in profound consternation to show how difficult it was for him to believe what was going on. Then, in a faint treble voice, he said:
”My aunt! At Nice! Promenade des Anglais! That's something more wonderful than the telephone and phonograph! If you had told me that the Pantheon had landed one fine night on the banks of the Paillon, I should not be more astonished. I thought Madame Desvarennes was as deeply rooted in Paris as the Colonne Vendome! But tell me, what is the object of this journey?”
”A freak.”
”Which manifested itself--”
”Yesterday morning at breakfast. Pierre Delarue, who is going to finish his business in Algeria, and then settle in France, came to say 'Good-by' to Madame Desvarennes. A letter arrived from the Princess.
She commenced reading it, then all at once she exclaimed 'Cayrol and his wife arrived at Nice two days ago!' Pierre and I were astonished at the tone in which she uttered these words. She was lost in thought for a few moments, then she said to Pierre: 'You are leaving tonight for Ma.r.s.eilles? Well, I shall go with you. You will accompany me to Nice.'
And turning toward me, she added: 'Marechal, pack up your portmanteau. I shall take you with me.”'
While speaking, they had walked across the garden, and reached the steps leading to the villa.
”Nothing is easier than to explain this sudden journey,” remarked Mademoiselle Herzog. ”On learning that Monsieur and Madame Cayrol were at Nice with the Princess, Madame Desvarennes must have felt how very lonely she was in Paris. She had a longing to be near them, and started.”
Herzog listened attentively, and seemed to be seeking the connection which should exist between the arrival of the Cayrols and the departure of Madame Desvarennes.
”The funniest thing to me is Marechal taking a holiday,” observed Savinien. ”They are still at dinner,” he added, entering the drawing-room, through the great doors of which sounds of voices and rattling of plates were heard.
”Well, let us wait for them; we are in agreeable company,” said Herzog, turning toward Marechal, who only answered by a cold bow.
”What are you going to do here, Marechal?” inquired Savinien. ”You will be awfully bored.”
”Why? Once in a way I am going to enjoy myself and be a swell. You will teach me, Monsieur Savinien. It cannot be very difficult. It is only necessary to wear a dove-colored coat like you, a gardenia in my b.u.t.tonhole like Monsieur Le Bride, frizzled hair like Monsieur du Tremblay, and to a.s.sail the bank at Monaco.”
”Like all these gentlemen,” said Suzanne, gayly, ”you are a gambler then?”
”I have never touched a card.”
”But then you ought to have great good luck,” said the young girl.
Herzog had come up to them.
”Will you go partners?” he asked of Marechal. ”We will divide the winnings.”
”You are too kind,” replied Marechal, dryly, turning away.