—You are not coming in?
—No, for perhaps I am going to set out again for Althausen.
—For Althausen. That is impossible to-day. I have just seen the diligence go by. Come, you will sleep once more at my house, Monsieur Marcel; your room is quite ready, and my wife, who has a fancy for you, will not let you go away. Stay, here she comes; she has recognized your voice.
The little Madame Patin, plump, brown, active and pretty, hastened up, indeed, and compelled Marcel to come in, almost in spite of himself.
—You shall remain, you shall remain! she said to him, relieving him of his hat.
—No, he answered smiling, I shall not remain, and I will tell you the reason. I came with my uncle, and I have my room at Madame de Montluisant's.
Before that declaration Monsieur and Madame Patin bowed.
—Ah, that is not right, said Madame Patin; Madame de Montluisant is opposing us, she is drawing our clients to her house…. My dear, have you told Monsieur Marcel that a young person has come?…
—Your husband has told me, Madame, and that proves to you that I certainly had the intention of staying with you, since I showed her your address. It had escaped my memory, otherwise I should have called to ask you to send the young person to Madame de Montluisant's.
—She will certainly come back again, for she seemed very desirous of seeing you. Must I send her to you at that lady's?