"Ah! M. du Bouchage, you have not reflected on what you are asking me; you know a gentleman cannot reveal a secret, of which only half belongs to him."
"It is true; pardon, M. de Carmainges; but, in truth, there is no one so unhappy as I am under heaven."
There was so much real grief and eloquent despair in these words, that Ernanton was profoundly touched.
"Oh! mon Dieu! I understand," said he; "you fear that we are rivals."
"I do."
"Well; monsieur, I will be frank."
Joyeuse grew pale again.
"I," continued Ernanton, "have a rendezvous."
"A rendezvous?"
"Yes."