"Had madame made an appointment with monsieur?"
"No; certainly she hadn't made an appointment with me; I did not presume to say anything of the sort."
"Well then, monsieur could not be sure of finding madame, especially as madame often goes out."
"Ah! she often goes out! then it isn't strange that I don't find her in. But will she return soon? If so, I might wait for her."
"When madame goes out, she never says whether she will stay out long. And then I must tell monsieur that she doesn't like to have anybody wait for her; she doesn't want anybody to make himself at home in her apartment when she isn't here."
Chamoureau bit his lip and stepped back.
"That makes a difference!" he murmured; "now that I know that it would vex Madame de Sainte-Suzanne, I will not wait for her; but you will be good enough to tell her that Monsieur Chamoureau came to pay his respects to her. Sapristi! I regret that I did not bring a bouquet—I would have left it. Will you remember my name—Chamoureau?"
"Never fear! If I should forget it, I would say: 'The gentleman who tore himself from head to foot the other day called again.'"
"It seems to me quite unnecessary to recall that unpleasant incident. I prefer that you should simply mention my name—Chamoureau."
"Yes, Monsieur—Chameau."