"Good-night!" said Lorin, "wait for me to-morrow morning to go out!"
"Good-night," said Maurice, mechanically, as the door closed behind him. Upon the first steps of the staircase he met his official.
"Ah! Citizen Lindey," he exclaimed, "how much uneasiness you have caused us!" The word us struck Maurice.
"You?" said he.
"Yes, me and the little lady who is waiting for you."
"The little lady," repeated Maurice, feeling the moment ill-chosen to remind him of his former loves; "you were right to tell me. I shall sleep at Lorin's."
"That is impossible; she was at the window, and saw you alight, and cried out, 'There he is!'"
"What care I whether she knows I am here or not? I have no heart for love. Go upstairs, and tell this woman she is mistaken."
The official made a movement as if to obey him, then stopped.
"Ah! Citizen," said he, "you are wrong. The little lady is already very sad; your message will drive her to despair."