When the customers had gone out, he told Frederick that he had that very morning been engaged in a little altercation with his wife. In order to obviate any remarks about expense, he had declared that the Maréchale was no longer his mistress. "I even told her that she was yours."
Frederick was annoyed at this; but to utter reproaches might only betray him. He faltered: "Ah! you were in the wrong—greatly in the wrong!"
"What does that signify?" said Arnoux. "Where is the disgrace of passing for her lover? I am really so myself. Would you not be flattered at being in that position?"
Had she spoken? Was this a hint? Frederick hastened to reply:
"No! not at all! on the contrary!"
"Well, what then?"
"Yes, 'tis true; it makes no difference so far as that's concerned."
Arnoux next asked: "And why don't you call there oftener?"
Frederick promised that he would make it his business to go there again.
"Ah! I forgot! you ought, when talking about Rosanette, to let out in some way to my wife that you are her lover. I can't suggest how you can best do it, but you'll find out that. I ask this of you as a special favour—eh?"