“Ha! ha! ha! I can’t get over it!”
“Hush! he’s in there; he can hear you laugh, and I fancy that he would take it ill of you just at this moment.”
“Really! what do I care for that? Ha! ha! ha! Do you think that I’m in love with Raymond, I should like to know? Oh! he is much too stupid, really! and he tries to play the Lovelace! I couldn’t stand it any longer! When I opened the window and saw Gerville on the boulevard, I gave a shriek and stepped back into the room as quick as I could; for I don’t want Gerville to see me with Raymond. Not that he’s jealous, but he might not like it. Do you know what I did? It came into my head to tell my old idiot that Gerville is fiendishly jealous, and that he had been suspicious of him ever since he learned that we spent two hours together on the landing, and that I was certain that he was on the boulevard for the sole purpose of watching us. The more I said, the more frightened my adorer became, for he has even more affection for his own person than for mine. And when I added that Gerville was quite capable of stabbing him,—ha! ha! the poor man took his hat, and is running still, I fancy. Ha! ha! ha! but it’s very kind of him to send me such an agreeable companion. Meanwhile, I would like to know what has become of Gerville; I think that he was just waiting for one of his friends.”
“Hush! somebody is coming upstairs. Raymond is opening his door; let’s listen. Gerville is speaking.”
We put our ears close to the door, which we very softly opened an inch or two, and overheard the following conversation:
“Ah! it’s neighbor Raymond.”
“Himself, at your service. How are you?”
“Very well. How’s this? are you dining alone in a private room?”
“Yes; I have something on my mind, some important business, and I was glad not to be disturbed.”
“In that case, I’ll leave you. I am waiting for somebody who agreed to meet me on the boulevard here; but he’s late, and I am going to dine. Good-day, neighbor; and a good appetite!”