II.
Canolles had formed no definite plan of action. Once in his own quarters he began to stride rapidly back and forth, as undecided folk are wont to do, without noticing that Castorin, who was awaiting his return, rose when he saw him, and was following him, holding in his hands a robe de chambre, behind which he was hardly visible.
Castorin stumbled over a chair and Canolles turned about.
"Well," said he, "what are you doing with that robe de chambre?"
"I am waiting for monsieur to take off his coat."
"I don't know when I shall take off my coat. Put the robe de chambre on a chair and wait."
"What! monsieur does not propose to take off his coat?" queried Castorin, who was by nature a capricious rascal, but seemed on this occasion more intractable than ever. "Monsieur does not intend to retire at once?"
"No."