"Without any apparent motive, I will question the waiter. Indeed, I can speedily enlist him in my interest with a five-franc piece."
"He will be entirely devoted to you. Let's go and dine."
"I will tell him to place us as near as possible to the room where the ladies are talking."
"But, sacrebleu! if we delay much longer, there'll be no vacant room near your wedding party."
"You are right! Come, come!"
"At last!" said Cherami to himself, striding behind young Gustave; "this time, I have my cue!"
XI
A CALCULATING YOUNG WOMAN
The five francs given by young Gustave to a waiter instantly produced a most satisfactory result. He placed the new-comers in a private room on the first floor, at the end of a corridor; and the large hall in which Monsieur Monléard's wedding feast was to be given was at the other end of the same corridor. Gustave would have preferred to be nearer the scene of festivity, but that was impossible; and his companion persuaded him that they were much better off at the end of the corridor, where Mademoiselle Adolphine could, if she chose, come to exchange a few words with him, unobserved by the wedding guests.
"And now, let us dine!" cried Cherami, hanging his hat on a hook; "I will admit that I am hungry. All these events—your distress—your despair—have moved me deeply, and emotion makes one hollow. You also must feel the need of refreshment, for you are very pale."
"I am not at all hungry, monsieur."