“Certainly, General!”
“Very well! It is for to-morrow, you know!”
“Yes, General.”
“Sacrebleu! You are very cool! Have you seen her?”
“Not yet, General. I have just arrived.”
“You must go and see her this morning. You owe her this mark of interest; and if you discover anything, you must tell me.”
“But what should I discover, General?”
“How do I know? But you understand women much better than I! Does she love me, or does she not love me? You understand, I make no pretensions of turning her head, but still I do not wish to be an object of repulsion to her. Nothing has given me reason to suppose so, but the girl is so reserved, so impenetrable.”
“Mademoiselle d’Estrelles is naturally cold,” said Camors.
“Yes,” responded the General. “Yes, and in some respects I—but really now, should you discover anything, I rely on your communicating it to me. And stop!—when you have seen her, have the kindness to return here, for a few moments—will you? You will greatly oblige me!”