The little man’s face flushed to his hair; he sucked in the air with a gasp. Without a word, he went to the dressing-table, poured out the shaving-water, threw a towel over his arm, and turned to come to the bed; but, all at once, he sidled back, put down the water, and furtively drew a sleeve across his eyes.
Gaston saw, and something suddenly burned in him. He dropped his eyes, slid out of bed, into his dressing-gown, and sat down.
Jacques made ready. He was not prepared to have Gaston catch him by the shoulders with a nervous grip, search his eyes, and say:
“You damned little fool, I’m not worth it!” Jacques’s face shone.
“Every great man has his fool—alors!” was the happy reply.
“Jacques,” Gaston presently said, “what’s on your mind?”
“I saw—last night, monsieur,” he said.
“You saw what?”
“I saw you in the court-yard with the lady.” Gaston was now very grave.
“Did you recognise her?”