“You can see your ladies to-morrow, they will be in the same place. Besides, perhaps they are married ladies, and who knows that I am not saving you from some unpleasant scrape?”
“To listen to you, one would think that no one ever called upon a lady except with the design of making a conquest.”
“Oh! you see I know you. Come, Blémont, sacrifice your ladies to me; consider that I am between life and death so long as I do not know what to expect.”
“To oblige you, I will go to Giraud’s.”
“You are a friend indeed. It is almost nine o’clock, and the reception is just at its height. To-night there is to be singing and playing. Be prudent, and if our couple are there, watch them closely.”
“I’m like the confidential friend in a melodrama.”
“I will wait for you at the café on the corner of the boulevard; I will drink a glass of sugar and water. If everything goes well, if I can safely show myself, you will have the kindness to tell me so.”
“Very good.”
We quickened our pace, and when we reached the corner of Rue Poissonnière, Bélan grasped my hand and shook it violently.
“My friend,” he said, “I will wait for you at the café opposite. Don’t say that I am there, don’t mention my name.”