"A pretty young woman coming to call on me! Ah! my excellent hostess, methinks I have returned to the days of my early prowess!"
"I'll go and tell her to come up."
"One moment! Let me brush my hair a little, straighten the parting, and see if my whiskers are well combed."
"Look at the flirt!"
"It is never wrong to beautify one's self. Go, show this lady up. I have my cue!"
A lady of small stature, very well dressed, and of distinguished bearing, soon entered Cherami's room; when she was sure that he was alone, she raised her veil, saying:
"Good-morning, monsieur! do you recognize me?"
"God bless my soul! it's Madame Monléard, the fascinating widow. Pray be seated, fair lady; excuse me if I do not receive you in a palace, but for the moment I have only this hovel at my disposal. To what am I indebted for the honor of your visit?"
"I desired to have a little conversation with you. Such a melancholy thing has happened since we last met."
"Don't speak of it! The poor count's death upset me completely; I couldn't believe it."