“Of course, you will not fail to come,” murmured Honorine with a faint sigh; “for it is for Agathe!”
The young woman uttered these last words in a trembling voice. Paul suddenly seized her hand, covered it with kisses, pressed it to his heart, and then hurried away, unable to speak.
But what words could have been more eloquent than his acts? Honorine understood their significance, for her face lighted up with pleasure, and she whispered to herself as she went up to her room:
“Ah! I am very happy too!”
XXIII
THE SECONDS
On leaving the ball at Goldfish Villa, Freluchon and Edmond returned to the house occupied by the latter.
“You will need another second for to-morrow,” said Freluchon; “where can you find one in this place?”
“He is all found: the owner of the Tower, a gentleman of the best tone, who comes to Madame Dalmont’s sometimes in the evening. I am sure that he won’t refuse to do me this favor. We will go to see him early to-morrow.”
“Very good.”
“But the most important thing of all is to keep all knowledge of this duel, and of the quarrel of this evening as well, from the two ladies.”