Part 50 (1/2)
And he sat down in the salon like a man spreading himself out in his own house. Marianne was meditating some scheme to get rid of him when the chamber-maid entered, presenting a note on a tray.
”What is that?”
”A messenger, madame, has brought this letter.”
Marianne read the paper hurriedly.
Vaudrey observed that she blushed slightly.
”Is the messenger still there, Justine?”
”No, madame, he is gone. He said that there was no reply.”
Marianne quickly tore in small pieces the note she had just read.
”Some annoyance?” asked Vaudrey.
”Yes, exactly.”
”May I know?”
”No, it does not interest you. A family affair.”
”Ah! your uncle?” asked Vaudrey, smiling.
”My uncle, yes!”
”He has asked that he be permitted to exhibit at the Trocadero the cartoons that he has finished: _The Artist's Mission_, _Hydropathy the Civilizer_, I don't know what in fact, a series of symbolical compositions--”
”With the _mirliton_ device underneath?--Yes, I know,” said Marianne.
She snapped her fingers in her impatience.
The letter that she had torn up had been written by Rosas, and received by Uncle Kayser at his studio, whence he had forwarded it to his niece.
The duke informed Marianne that he would wait for her at five o'clock at Avenue Montaigne. He had something to say to her. He had pa.s.sed the entire night reflecting and dreaming. She remembered her own wild dreams. Had Rosas then caught her thought floating like an atom on the night wind?
At five o'clock! She would be punctual. But how escape Vaudrey? She could not now feign sickness since she had received him! Moreover, he would instal himself near her and bombard her with his attentions. Was there any possible pretext, any way of getting out now? Her lover had the devoted, radiant look of a loved man who relied on enjoying a long interview with his mistress. He looked at her with a tender glance.
”The fool--The sticker!” thought Marianne. ”He will not leave!”
The best course was to go out. She would lose him on the way.
”What time have you, my dear minister?”
”One o'clock!”
”Then I have time!” she said.
Vaudrey seemed surprised. Marianne unceremoniously informed him, in fact, that she had some calls to make, to secure some purchases.