After dinner the Abbé Gama asked me to breakfast with him, or to have him to breakfast the next morning, as he was longing for a good talk with me.
“Come and breakfast with me,” said I, “I shall be delighted to see you.”
When the guests had gone Don Cesarino, as the pretended brother of Thérèse was called, asked me if I would walk with him. I kissed him, and replied that my carriage was at his service, and that he and his brother-in-law could drive in it, but that I had resolved not to leave his sister that day. Palesi seemed quite satisfied with the arrangement, and they both went away.
When we were alone, I gave Thérèse an ardent embrace, and congratulated her on having such a brother.
“My dear, he is the fruit of our amours; he is your son. He makes me happy, and is happy himself, and indeed he has everything to make him so.”
“And I, too, am happy, dear Thérèse. You must have seen that I recognized him at once.”
“But do you want to give him a brother? How ardent you are!”
“Remember, beloved one, that to-morrow we are to be friends, and nothing more.”
By this my efforts were crowned with success, but the thought that it was the last time was a bitter drop in the cup of happiness.
When we had regained our composure, Thérèse said,—