Madame Piquette courtesied again; I glanced in the mirror and thought that she was preparing to remove her neckerchief. Great heaven! what was I about to see?
But, no; I had taken fright without cause; she rearranged her pink ribbons about her neck, and replied:
"It is with the deepest regret, monsieur, that I find myself compelled to inform you that Rosette is not here. I believe that she is at her Aunt Dumarteau's at this moment."
"Will you kindly give me Madame Dumarteau's address?"
"It's a long way, monsieur, a long way from here!"
"I have a cab, madame."
"In that case, monsieur, take the trouble to go to Rue Verte, Faubourg Saint-Honoré, No. 12."
"Exceedingly obliged, madame!"
"But if you would be pleased to rest a moment longer, monsieur, I should be charmed to——"
I listened to no more; I rose, left the room, and went down the stairs by leaps and bounds; I fancied that I could still see Madame Piquette baring her neck before me.