"At Chamoureau's."
"What! Chamoureau has documents of that sort in his office, and has never shown them to me! that surprises me very much."
"For heaven's sake, Freluchon, stop your joking a minute, and listen to me!"
"Speak; I am like a mute of the harem."
Edmond told his friend how he had made Agathe's acquaintance and by what means he had been able to make himself useful to Madame Dalmont. Freluchon listened attentively and without interrupting him; when the lovelorn youth had finished, he said:
"Well, it's all up with you, I understand that. This young lady is charming, I have no doubt; she possesses all the talents, all the virtues; I am convinced of that. But what do you expect to do now?"
"I haven't any idea, and that is why I was consumed with anxiety to see you. In the first place, I felt that I must talk about my love, relieve my heart; for it was suffocating me. Then I wanted to ask your advice."
"I'll give you some advice that I'll bet you won't follow."
"Why not? Speak."
"As the girl in question is respectable and virtuous, of course you do not expect to make her your mistress?"