"I thank you, Monsieur Cherami. Do you know Monsieur Gustave Darlemont?"
"Do I know him! He is my best friend, my Euryalus, my Orestes, my Pythias.—Yes, indeed, madame; I do know him and appreciate him; he is a charming fellow, who deserves to be loved."
"Tell me frankly, Monsieur Cherami,—surely you have no reason now to conceal the truth from me,—did Gustave ask you to fight with my husband?"
"Ah! so madame knows that it was I who——"
"Who fought a duel with Monsieur Monléard. To be sure; but have no fear; I bear you no ill-will at all for that."
"She's a charming creature," said Cherami to himself; "I fancy that she would bear me no more ill-will if I had killed her husband."
"But, monsieur," rejoined Fanny, "be good enough to tell me why you called me faithless when you saw me pass?"
"Oh! mon Dieu! my dear madame, it's very easy to understand. I had dined with poor Gustave at the restaurant where you gave your wedding party. During the whole meal, the dear fellow was in such utter despair that it was painful to see him. He didn't eat, he didn't drink; I was compelled to dine for two, and to hold on to him every minute to keep him from seeking you out in the midst of your party."
"Really! Poor fellow! was he so broken up as that?"
"In the evening, he spoke to your sister and made her promise that, when you came back for the ball, she would arrange it so that he could have an interview with you."