"Adieu, Monsieur Cherami!"
"Madame, accept my most respectful homage.—I don't know whether she is sincerely fond of Gustave," thought Cherami, as the charming widow left him, "but it is certain that she is burning to see him again."
XLII
ORESTES AND PYLADES
Fanny had been a widow more than six months, when, as Cherami was approaching Monsieur Grandcourt's abode one morning, he saw Gustave come out. He uttered a joyful exclamation, and hastened to throw his arms about the young traveller, crying:
"Tandem! denique! here he is at last! this is good luck, indeed! Damnation! you've been away a long while, but we will hope that it's the last time."
"Good-day, my dear Arthur!" said Gustave, as they shook hands. "Were you coming to see my uncle?"
"Your uncle! Sapristi! he's a dear creature, is your uncle; let's talk about something else. Why, I have been here a hundred times; I wanted to get your address, so that I could write to you or come after you; but it was impossible to obtain the slightest information from your uncle. When did you return?"
"Last night, at nine o'clock. But why were you so anxious to know where I was? What had you to tell me that was so important?"
"Hasn't your uncle told you anything?"
"We had a talk this morning, on business; that's all."