"Ah! monsieur——"
"You deceive me just as all the others have! I ought to have expected it. And yet, I thought that I had had better fortune this time. Ah! these women! But it is all over now, all over! I will never be their dupe again!"
And Adhémar dashed the pipe case, which he still held, on the floor, and rushed from the room, frantic with rage, without looking at Nathalie.
XIII
A YOUNG MAN WHO DID NOT SMOKE
You will remember that after the famous dinner given by Mirotaine, at which Dubotté had recognized in the soi-disant Italian count an apothecary of Pontoise, the latter had instantly left the company; and that, very shortly thereafter, Dodichet had done the same, declaring his purpose to challenge Miflorès, who had deceived him by holding himself out as a bachelor. But he had no sooner left the Mirotaine abode than, instead of pursuing Seringat, whom he was certain of finding at home the next day, Dodichet betook himself to the address given by Lucien, to whom he was anxious to relate all that he had done in the interest of his love affair.
Having arrived on Quai Jemmapes, by way of Pont du Faubourg du Temple, Dodichet said to himself:
"I wonder which corner it is—the right or the left? I forgot to ask him that. I'll go to both. On the left, I was told, used to stand the famous Vendanges de Bourgogne—a restaurant which was noted for its sheep's feet, and used to be a great place for weddings and banquets. Sic transit gloria mundi. On the right, there used to be nothing but swamps, I believe. I'll begin at the left. I can't be too sure of finding Lucien at home. A bachelor doesn't stay in his room in the evening; indeed, he often goes out during the day, and sometimes sleeps out. Never mind; perhaps they can tell me what café he usually goes to for his cigar; for he must smoke somewhere."
In the first house at which Dodichet asked for Lucien Grischard, the reply was:
"This is the place, monsieur."
"Ah! is it, indeed? Excellent! Where am I likely to find him in the evening?"