Part 41 (1/2)
”That is the rear entrance of a restaurant, a cafe, where there are private rooms--one of those a.s.signation houses, you know.”
”I understand you.”
”If you go in this way, you are not seen, for you don't go into the cafe at all. You go right upstairs; a bell calls a waiter, who opens a private room for you. Oh! it's very convenient. I used to go there often.”
”Well?”
”Well! your wife goes there to meet her lover.”
”My wife! It is false!”
”Oh! I recognized her perfectly, although she generally comes in a cab and gets out a few steps away. She is always hidden by a broad-brimmed hat and wrapped in a shawl; but first of all I noticed her manner; I watched her. It amuses me to watch the lovers who go there. I haven't anything to do, and it serves to pa.s.s the time! Yes, I am sure that it's she. She hasn't been there once only, but at least ten times.”
”What time does she come?”
”Usually it is only quarter-past, or half-past seven when she arrives, and she stays about an hour.”
”What a lie! my wife never gets up before nine o'clock.”
”So you think, my dear man! You imagine that she's asleep.--What if I should tell you that she is over there now?”
”Now?”
”Yes; I saw her go in half an hour before I met you. Stay at the window; you will see a cab come that they will have sent for; madame will get in, and the gentleman will go away five minutes later. I know the whole programme.”
”What sort of looking man is he?”
”A young man, tall and dark. He's very good-looking indeed; I must do your wife that justice.”
I took my hat and strode toward the door. Lucile ran in front of me.
”Where are you going?”
”To make sure that it's they.”
”You are going to make a row! Can you think of such a thing?”
”No, you don't know me. When I am certain of my misfortune, I shall be calm; but I propose to see them. Let me go, Lucile; I insist.”
”Very well! on condition that I go with you. I know the house, and I will show you the way, be your guide. But you promise----”
”It's all right! come.”
Lucile put on her bonnet and threw a shawl over her shoulders. We went downstairs and soon stood before the house opposite. We opened a small wooden gate which rang a bell; then we ascended a short flight of stairs. Lucile took my hand and walked before me. My heart beat so violently that I was obliged to stop to recover my breath.
We arrived in a courtyard, where an attendant was waiting for us under a porch; he went upstairs before us. When we reached the landing, I stopped him:
”You have a gentleman and lady here?”