“Oh! don’t put yourself to that trouble; a bachelor is seldom at home; I will come to see you, with your permission, and pay my respects to madame now and then.”
“You will gratify us.”
“But I must leave you now; I have three appointments for this morning. I have so many acquaintances! and not a moment to myself! Adieu, my dear friend!—Madame, I lay at your feet the homage that your charms deserve.”
And Raymond took his leave, well pleased with his last compliment. He was the same as ever.
“That gentleman is very pleasant,” said Pélagie, when he had gone.
She thought him charming; I was sure that she would. That my wife should like Raymond did not surprise me; but Nicette!
I dared not call on Raymond the same day; but the next day I could wait no longer, and I went to see him. He was not in; he had already gone out.
“Does he live alone?” I asked the concierge.
“Yes, monsieur; all alone.”
I went away; I would have liked to know more, but I was almost sure that Nicette did not live with him. I left my name with the concierge, so that Raymond might know that I had been to see him; that would bring him to my house, and perhaps I might be able to speak with him alone.