While prowling in the study I found the card which I had sent her the day before.
"Did Madame read this?"
"Probably not."
"And you don't know where she is?"
"Why, I am sure I don't know. Madame never tells me her affairs."
I went back to the bedroom, seated myself on a long couch.
"All right, Madame Souchard. I am going to wait here. And let me tell you that something funny is going to happen! Ha! Ha! In the end, you see, Mother Souchard, this thing is bound to come to a head. I have been patient long enough. I have been.... Well, that's enough!"
I shook my fist in the air.
"And it is going to be very funny, Mother Souchard!... and you'll be able to brag about having taken part in something very funny, something you'll never forget, never! You'll dream about it at night with terror, so help me God!"
"Oh! Monsieur Mintié! Monsieur Mintié," the old woman implored. "For the love of God calm yourself. Go away! You'll commit a crime as sure as I live! And what is it you are going to do, Monsieur Mintié? What are you going to do?"