“Did you think I looked well to-night?” she said to him, joyously.
At the same instant Mitral, waiting at the Cafe Themis, saw the two usurers returning, but was unable to perceive the slightest indications of the result on their impassible faces.
“What of it?” he said, when they were all seated at table.
“Same as ever,” replied Gigonnet, rubbing his hands, “victory with gold.”
“True,” said Gobseck.
Mitral took a cabriolet and went straight to the Saillards and Baudoyers, who were still playing boston at a late hour. No one was present but the Abbe Gaudron. Falleix, half-dead with the fatigue of his journey, had gone to bed.
“You will be appointed, nephew,” said Mitral; “and there’s a surprise in store for you.”
“What is it?” asked Saillard.
“The cross of the Legion of honor?” cried Mitral.
“God protects those who guard his altars,” said Gaudron.