She called over the nurse, who took the child in her arms; then, on the threshold of the door in the street, Madame Arnoux inhaled the odour of the flower, leaning her head on her shoulder with a look as sweet as a kiss.
When he had gone up to his study, he gazed at the armchair in which she had sat, and every object which she had touched. Some portion of her was diffused around him. The caress of her presence lingered there still.
"So, then, she came here," said he to himself.
And his soul was bathed in the waves of infinite tenderness.
Next morning, at eleven o'clock, he presented himself at M. Dambreuse's house. He was received in the dining-room. The banker was seated opposite his wife at breakfast. Beside her sat his niece, and at the other side of the table appeared the governess, an English woman, strongly pitted with small-pox.
M. Dambreuse invited his young friend to take his place among them, and when he declined:
"What can I do for you? I am listening to whatever you have to say to me."
Frederick confessed, while affecting indifference, that he had come to make a request in behalf of one Arnoux.
"Ha! ha! the ex-picture-dealer," said the banker, with a noiseless laugh which exposed his gums. "Oudry formerly gave security for him; he has given a lot of trouble."
And he proceeded to read the letters and newspapers which lay close beside him on the table.