"Oh!" said Cabassu, "it is not at all surprising in his position."
"But what's all this about this being a great day, and this 'sitting' you all talk about?"
"Why, yes! This is the day when we're to know whether Bernard is to be a deputy or not."
"What? Isn't he one yet? Why, I have told it everywhere in the neighborhood, and I illuminated Saint-Romans a month ago. So I was made to tell a lie!"
The masseur had much difficulty in explaining to her the parliamentary formality of testing the validity of elections. She listened with only one ear, feverishly pulling over the linen.
"And that's where my Bernard is at this moment?"
"Yes, Madame."
"Are women allowed to go into this Chamber?—Then why isn't his wife there? For I can understand that it's a great affair for him. On such a day as to-day he will need to feel that all those he loves are beside him. Look you, my boy, you must take me to this sitting. Is it very far?"
"No, very near. Only it must have begun before this. And then," added the Giaour, a little embarrassed, "this is the hour when Madame needs me."
"Ah! Do you teach her this thing that you're professor of? What do you call it?"