My sister was the first who entered my room. I fancy that she noticed my depression; she kissed me and embraced me, and assured me that I should be very happy.
“God grant it!” I thought. “Thus far I have not been happy in love; perhaps I shall be in marriage.”
I overcame my weakness and was myself once more. Poor Amélie! she was so pleased when she saw me smile!
By the way, where were my wife and I to live? I had not given that matter a thought; but I was not at all disturbed, for my sister had undertaken to look out for everything, and she was not the woman to forget anything so important. However, I felt that I should be very glad to know where I was to take my better half that night.
“You haven’t told me yet, sister, where I am to live.”
“That goes without saying, my dear.”
“Nevertheless, you will have to tell me, for I can’t guess.”
“Has not Madame de Pontchartrain a magnificent house, of which she occupies only one-half? You are to live there with your wife.”
“At her aunt’s? I don’t like that very much.”
“Don’t be disturbed; your suite is by itself, and a long way from hers; you need have nothing to say to each other, except when you please. I knew, of course, that you would like to be by yourself, and I have had everything arranged with that end in view.”