"We will dine in Paris. I do not propose to remain another half-hour in this house. Come! you should have had everything ready before now."
Fifteen minutes later, we were on our way to Paris in the first coucou I could find; for there are still coucous at Fontenay.
XLVIII
AT THE OPÉRA
I reached Paris about seven in the evening. As I entered my house, the first person I saw was Ballangier, in a neat brown frock-coat and a round hat; his attire was noticeable for a sort of coquetry which indicated that the desire to please was still his first thought.
He grasped my hand, crying:
"Ah! here you are at last! I am so glad to see you! I have so much to tell you about all that has happened in the six weeks since you went away! For it is six weeks since you left Paris."
"Is Mignonne in my room now?"
"No; but she sometimes passes the whole day there and a large part of the evening. She enjoys being in your room."
"Come up with me and tell me all about it."
Ballangier accompanied me to my apartment; I got rid of Pomponne by telling him to get his dinner wherever he chose; and when I was alone with my friend, I asked how his love affairs were progressing.