“What difference does that make? I know you, and that’s enough! Introduced by Raymond, you will be welcome.”
“Do you think that I might venture?”
“Why, of course! So long as a man is hilarious and tells amusing stories, he’s sure of being well received at Grandmaison’s; that’s why he’s so fond of me.”
“Oh! if it’s only a matter of providing amusement, I promise you some for this evening.”
“You’re our man; it’s agreed, then. Meet me at the Café Anglais at ten o’clock; that’s the hour of meeting.”
“I will be there, I give you my word.”
“But if you will accept my advice, you’ll take a little orange-flower water to calm your nerves.”
“Never fear! I shan’t have another attack.”
“Good-bye, then, until ten o’clock to-night!”
Raymond left me, and I reflected long upon all that I had learned. The woman was Caroline; I could not doubt it; and yet a feeble ray of hope still gleamed in the depths of my heart. I determined to go to her, but to conceal my feelings, and to try, if possible, to read her heart, to detect her treachery in her eyes. But, above all, I would be sensible, philosophical, and try to penetrate myself with the truth of these two lines: