Part 47 (2/2)

I could not refuse; it mattered little to me after all whether I went to the Bois; I had plenty of time. And once there, I knew how to rid myself of Belan.

We took a cab. On the way Belan talked to me about his wife, his mistress, his mother-in-law, and my duel with Dulac; which he believed to be the result of our quarrel over the cards. I was careful not to undeceive him.

When we arrived at the Bois, Belan insisted that I should go with him and be introduced to his acquaintance. I a.s.sured him that somebody was waiting for me too; but to satisfy him I agreed to meet him two hours later at the Porte Maillot; and I determined not to be there.

Belan left me at last, and I entered a path opposite to that which he had taken. The weather was fine; it was four o'clock and there were many people, especially equestrians, in the Bois. I stood for several minutes watching the young people who came there to display their costumes and horses, and their skill in riding. There had been a time when I myself enjoyed that pleasure; but now nothing of the sort had any temptation for me.

A cloud of dust announced the approach of a party. I thought that I could see two women among the riders, and I stopped to look at them. The cavalcade came up at a gallop and pa.s.sed close to me. Having glanced at one of the ladies, I turned my eyes upon the other. It was Eugenie,--Eugenie, dressed in a stylish riding habit, and riding gracefully a spirited horse. She almost brushed against me, her horse covered me with dust and I was utterly unable to step back. I stood there, so startled, so oppressed, that I had not the strength to walk.

The cavalcade was already far away, and my eyes were still following it; I stood in the same spot, benumbed, motionless, with no eyes for anything else. Other hors.e.m.e.n came up at a fast gallop. I did not hear them. They called to me: ”Look out!” but I did not stir. Suddenly I felt a violent shock; I was thrown down upon the gravel, and a horse's hoof struck me in the head.

My eyes closed and I lost consciousness. When I came to myself, I found myself in one of the cafes at the entrance to the Bois. I saw many people about me; among others, several young swells. One of them said to me:

”I am terribly distressed, monsieur; I am the cause of your accident. I shouted to you, however; but my horse had too much impetus, and I could not stop him.”

”Yes, that is true,” observed a man who was holding my head; ”I can testify that monsieur shouted: 'Look out!' but why should anyone ride like the wind? I shouted to you: 'Stop!' but prout! you didn't stop.”

I recognized Pettermann; it was he who was behind me. I accepted the apology of the young cavalier and told him that I bore him no ill will.

I rea.s.sured him concerning my wound, although I felt very weak, for I had lost much blood. Someone had sent for a carriage and I asked Pettermann if he could go with me.

”What's that? can I!” replied the tailor; ”why, if I couldn't, I'd go with you all the same. As if I would leave in this condition an excellent neighbor of mine who paid me forty francs in advance! Prout!

you don't know me!”

They bandaged my head and helped me into the cab. Pettermann seated himself opposite me and we returned to Paris.

On the way, my wound occupied my attention much less than the meeting I had had. I asked Pettermann if he had not seen a woman riding past me when they took me up and carried me away.

”When you were thrown down,” said the tailor, ”I was within thirty yards of you. I was walking, loafing, I had nothing to do. However, I did go to your room this morning, monsieur, to ask you for your cloth; but I never find you in the morning and at night I can't find your door.”

”That isn't what I asked you.”

”True. Well, then, I was walking, and I had just noticed some ladies pa.s.s on horseback. Prout! but they rode finely! Other horses came along and I stepped to one side; and it was then that I saw you. They shouted: 'Look out!' I don't know what you were looking at, but you didn't move; and yet I said to myself: 'That gentleman isn't deaf, for he heard me sing well enough.' Still the horses came on. I shouted 'Look out!' to you myself, and I sung out to the riders to stop; but prout! you were already on the ground, and with a famous scar! The young men stopped then. I already had you in my arms. The man who knocked you down was in despair, I must do him justice. We carried you to the nearest cafe; and when I said that I was your neighbor and that I knew you, they sent for a cab; and then you opened your eyes. But never mind! you got a rousing kick!”

”And while I was unconscious, you saw no other people near me? Those ladies on horseback--did not one of them come back?”

”No, monsieur; there was no other lady near you except the one that keeps the cafe; but she washed your head; oh! she didn't spare the water!”

I said no more. I was beginning to suffer terribly; the carriage made me sick, my head was on fire and my brain in a whirl. At last we reached my home. Pettermann and the concierge carried me upstairs, put me to bed, and went to call a doctor. I had a violent fever; soon I was unable to reply to the people about me; I did not know them.

One evening I opened my heavy eyes and glanced about my room. It was dimly lighted by a lamp. I saw Pettermann sitting at a table, with his head resting on one of his hands, and his eyes fastened upon a watch which he held in the other. I called him feebly; he heard me, uttered a joyful cry, dropped the watch, and ran to my bed.

”Ah! you are saved!” he cried as he embraced me. ”The doctor said that you would recover consciousness to-night, before nine o'clock. I was counting the minutes; there are only five left and I was beginning to doubt the doctor's word. But you recognize me! _Sacredi_! you are saved!”

He embraced me again, and I felt tears upon my cheeks. So there were still some people who loved me! That thought relieved me. I held out my hand to that excellent man, pressed his hand, and motioned to him to sit down beside me.

”First of all,” he said to me, ”you are going to drink this; it's some medicine ordered by the doctor, and you must do what he orders, since he has cured you. I believe in doctors now.”

<script>