And in an undertone, speaking passionately, she said,—
“Go now! You shall know by to-morrow who she is whom I have chosen for you. Come and breakfast with us at eleven o’clock. Go now.”
And, kissing him on his lips till they burnt with unholy fire, she pushed him out of the room.
The poor man staggered like a drunken man, as he went down the stairs.
“I am playing an abominable game,” he said to himself. “She does love me! What a woman!”
It required nothing less to rouse him from his stupor than the sight of Papa Ravinet, who was waiting for him below, hid in a corner of his carriage.
“Is it you?” he said.
“Yes, myself. And it seems it was well I came. But for me, the count would have kept you; but I came to your rescue by sending him up a letter. Now, tell me all.”
Daniel reported to him briefly, while they were driving along, his conversation with the count and with Sarah. When he had concluded, the old dealer exclaimed,—
“We have the whole matter in our hands now. But there is not a minute to lose. Do you go back to the hotel, and wait for me there. I must go to the court.”