“What was it?” asked Madame de l’Estorade, anxiously.
“It seems that the affairs of your friend Sallenauve are going wrong.”
“Thanks for the commission!” said Monsieur de l’Estorade, returning the letter to his wife. “I shall take very good care not to guarantee his conduct in any respect.”
“Have you heard anything disagreeable about him?” asked Madame de l’Estorade, endeavoring to give a tone of indifference to her question.
“Yes; Rastignac has just told me of letters received from Arcis, where they have made the most compromising discoveries.”
“Well, what did I tell you?” cried Madame de l’Estorade.
“How do you mean? What did you tell me?”
“I told you some time ago that the acquaintance was one that had better be allowed to die out. I remember using that very expression.”
“But I didn’t draw him here.”
“Well, you can’t say that I did; and just now, before I knew of these discoveries you speak of, I was telling Madame de Camps of another reason why it was desirable to put an end to the acquaintance.”