He flushed as he recognized Adrienne.
The young woman's reserved attitude showed absolute firmness. She came to say adieu, she was about to leave.
He had not even the energy to keep her. He was afraid of an unbending reply that would have been an outrage.
"Do you intend to become associated with Molina?" Adrienne asked in a clear voice, as she looked at Sulpice, who had risen.
"What! Molina?" he stammered.
"Yes, oh! he understands business. On leaving, he called on me. He thought that I had still sufficient influence over you to urge you, as he says, to make your fortune. He told me that you were in want of money, and after having been sharp enough to try the husband, he offered me, as you might give a commission to a courtesan, I do not know what emerald ornament, if I would advise you to accept his proposals!—That gentleman does not know the people with whom he is dealing!"
"Wretch!" said Vaudrey. "He did that?"
"And I thanked him," Adrienne replied calmly. "I did not know that you had debts and that, in order to pay them, you had come so near accepting the patronage of such a man. He told me so and he rendered me and you a service."
"Me?"
Vaudrey snatched up the prospectus of the Algerian gas and angrily tore it in pieces.