Dixmer still continued to press him.
"Then you really wish to know it," said Maurice.
"Yes," replied Dixmer.
"Well, then," replied Maurice, who felt a sensation of relief as he approached the truth; "this is the truth. You have a young and beautiful wife, who is as virtuous as she is beautiful; yet Madame Dixmer's well-known character cannot prevent my frequent visits to your house from being misinterpreted."
Dixmer turned rather pale.
"Indeed!" said he. "Then, my dear Maurice, the husband should thank you for the wrong you do the friend?"
"Understand," said Maurice, "I have not the folly to suppose my presence can be dangerous to your repose, or that of your wife; but it might, perhaps, afford subject for calumny, and you are aware the more absurd the scandal, the easier it gains belief."
"Absurd!" said Dixmer, shrugging his shoulders.
"Absurd, as much as you please," said Maurice, "but separate, we shall not the less be good friends, for we shall have nothing to reproach ourselves with; while, on the contrary, if near—"
"Well! What then?"