"Madame is not in, monsieur; she went out about an hour ago with her friend Mademoiselle Héloïse. I do not think that she will return to dinner."
Beauregard walked about the reception-room, then looked the maid in the eyes as he asked:
"Is it true that your mistress has gone out?"
"Yes, monsieur, it's the truth. But if monsieur wishes to go into the salon and madame's bedroom, he will see that I have not lied to him."
"No, it's all right; as she has gone out, I'll be off."
"Will monsieur give me any message for madame?"
"No, what I have to say to her cannot be said by anybody else. I will see her another time."
"If monsieur will tell me what day he will come, so that madame may wait for him——"
"It's not necessary. I do not know myself when I shall come again."
And the gentleman with the yellow complexion, turning toward the door, was about to leave the room, when he saw the business agent, who had remained standing, like a milestone, on the mat, and was scrutinizing him with an expression of mingled amazement and curiosity.