"Nonsense!" she said with a smiling face. "You are not so bad as you pretend to be."
The manager tapped the customary three blows behind the curtain, and the orchestra began the prelude to the third act.
"Adieu for a brief period, my enemy!" said Marianne, extending her hand.
He hesitated to take that hand. At length, taking it in his own, he said:
"Leave me Rosas!"
"Fie! jealous one! Don't I leave Vaudrey to you?"
She laughed, while Lissac went away dissatisfied.
"I will have my letters, at all risks," thought Marianne when he had disappeared. "It is more prudent."
That night she slept badly, and the following morning rose in a very ill-humor. Her face expressed fatigue, her eyes were encircled with dark rings and burned feverishly, but withal, her beauty was heightened. All the morning she debated as to the course she should take, and finally decided to write to Guy, when Sulpice Vaudrey arrived, and beaming with delight, informed Marianne that he had the entire day to spend with her.
"I learned through Jouvenet this morning that you were able to go to the theatre. Naughty one, to steal an evening from me. But I have all to-day, at least."