The young man's only answer was an equivocal grimace. This calumny had undone him. He even called on her that evening, and swore that Arnoux's accusation was false.
"Is that really so?"
He appeared to be speaking sincerely, and, when she had taken a long breath of relief, she said to him:
"I believe you," with a beautiful smile. Then she hung down her head, and, without looking at him:
"Besides, nobody has any claim on you!"
So then she had divined nothing; and she despised him, seeing that she did not think he could love her well enough to remain faithful to her! Frederick, forgetting his overtures while with the other, looked on the permission accorded to him as an insult to himself.
After this she suggested that he ought now and then to pay Rosanette a visit, to get a little glimpse of what she was like.
Arnoux presently made his appearance, and, five minutes later, wished to carry him off to Rosanette's abode.
The situation was becoming intolerable.
His attention was diverted by a letter from a notary, who was going to send him fifteen thousand francs the following day; and, in order to make up for his neglect of Deslauriers, he went forthwith to tell him this good news.