“Very well; thanks.—I cannot see their houses,” thought the beautiful brunette, “but that won’t prevent my knowing what they do on the other side of the village. I will go out and walk about my garden; it’s quite extensive and there must be other points of view.”
Thélénie wandered through the garden and through the little wood, which might have passed muster as a park. She ascended several low hills on which were built pretty summer-houses, whence one could overlook the surrounding country; but as she was not familiar with it, she made no progress.
After a long stroll the lady with the great black eyes returned to her apartment, which she examined more in detail; then she gave orders for the dinner to be hurried forward, the change of air having sharpened her appetite.
All this had taken time, and Thélénie suddenly remembered that she had not seen her husband since their arrival. She concluded that he was sulky because she had abused him so on the subject of her bandboxes, and she gave no further thought to him.
Meanwhile time passed, and madame was informed that dinner was served.
“Very well,” said Thélénie; “tell monsieur that I am going to dine.”
“But where shall I find monsieur, madame?”
“Where will you find him? why, in his apartment, I presume.”
“Where is his apartment, madame?”
“Just opposite mine—in the right wing, on the first floor.”