I saw at once, by the expression of their faces, that they were angry with me.
"Ah! here you are, are you, monsieur?" said Rosette. "You're getting to be very rare—very hard to find, for this is the third time I've been here—so help me! I don't know whether your Jocrisse told you?"
"My Jocrisse did not tell me."
"And madame here has been as many times as I have, it seems, and hasn't had any better luck."
"What, Frédérique! you have taken the trouble to come here? I am terribly sorry."
Frédérique smiled, but with the mocking expression that I knew so well, saying:
"What does it matter that I have been here? You weren't very solicitous about my health, I judge, as you haven't been to inquire about it since the day you left so abruptly. I understand that there is nothing very agreeable in my husband's presence; still, from regard for me, you might have put up with it a little longer."
"You see, madame," said Rosette, "monsieur has other intrigues, new passions, beside which my love and your friendship are nothing at all! He hasn't a minute now to sacrifice to us; he passes all his time, all his days, with his new flame on Rue Ménilmontant. She can't be anything very distinguished, living in that quarter; but we must know a little of everything!"
I saw that Pomponne had been chattering and inventing fables.
"Ah! so you have been told that I go every day to Rue Ménilmontant?" I said, with a tranquillity that seemed to add to their irritation.