"No indeed, that is over long ago, but I do believe she thinks it is not. You see the person in question comes to see a relative who has married an antiquaire on the floor above me, and Alathea has seen her on the stairs and imagines she comes to see me!"
"And you cannot tell her?"
"I am not supposed to know it would matter to her!"
"Bon. Do you really love the child, Nicholas?"
"Chère Amie, with my whole heart. I only want her in all the world."
"And she is being impossible for you surely! I know her character—if she thinks you have a mistress—her pride is of le diable!"
"It is indeed."
"We must see what can be done, dear boy. Imagine though what I have discovered! That infamous father took that money that you gave, when the affair had already been settled by le Colonel Harcourt with your money! A relation of mine attested at the investigation and had to know the facts. Nicholas, you preux chevalier! You paid twice, and never said a word! You are of a devotion! It was splendid of you, but my poor Hilda is heartbroken that you have been so pillaged."
At that moment the crowd returned from the other room and the Duchesse rose and left me.