“It’s very likely; but I would have sent a messenger to Gournay to set my friend’s mind at rest.”
“You? you never would have thought of such a thing! And besides, there are no messengers in a village.”
“You won’t have so much difficulty in finding your friend when he has lodgings here,” said Agathe.
“Ah! do you propose to hire a house here?”
“No, not a house, but a small apartment.”
“Monsieur’s lungs are delicate,” said Honorine, “and he thinks that the country air will do him good.”
“Your lungs delicate! Well! that is a good one!”
And Freluchon threw himself back in his chair, laughing uproariously, oblivious to the glances Edmond bestowed upon him.
Honorine put an end to the scene by saying to the newcomer:
“Will monsieur have something to eat?”