“That makes no difference; it doesn’t prevent your being a witness.”
“Rely upon him, monsieur,” said Thélénie; “he will be too happy to assist you in this affair.”
Chamoureau made a pitiful face, which indicated that he was not at all happy to serve as second in a duel.
All the guests soon took their leave.
“What a pity that such a beautiful party should end like this!” was the general sentiment. But many persons added under their breath: “For all that, it appears that their real name is Chamoureau, and not Belleville.”
Thélénie was not sorry to see the close of the festivities and the departure of all her guests. When they were going away, she whispered to Croque:
“Wait for me in the garden, in the left-hand path.”
When everybody had gone, and Chamoureau and his wife were left alone in one of the salons, she said:
“Well, monsieur, what are you doing here?”
“Why, I was waiting for you, my dear love.”