"When do you expect to leave?"
"To-morrow."
"Alone?"
"Entirely so. I'll see you again at the club, to-night, won't I?"
The strange reserve of this dialogue left upon the mind of Monsieur de Moras an impression of surprise and uneasiness. He was unable to withstand the feeling, and two hours later he returned to Lucan's. As he went in, preparations for traveling greeted his eyes on all sides. Lucan was engaged writing in his study.
"Now, my dear fellow!" said the count to him, "if I am impertinent, say so frankly and at once; but this sudden and hurried voyage doesn't look like anything. Seriously, what is the matter? Are you going to fight a duel outside the frontier?":
"Bah! In that case I should take you with me; you know that very well."
"A woman, then?"
"Yes," said Lucan dryly.
"Excuse my importunity, and good-by."