"I am going to see how long your story lasts; I warn you that I give you only ten minutes. Look, Dupétrain, you see that it's eight twenty-five."
Monsieur Dupétrain did not look at the watch, for he was already off.
"A young woman, the wife of a man who was on a journey——"
But at that moment, Albert, as if he suddenly recalled the plan he had formed, cried:
"Eight twenty-five! Well, Tobie, what about your appointment for half-past eight? You have no time to spare, for the lady is not very patient."
Tobie sprang to his feet, delighted to have an opportunity to leave in a hurry; without losing an instant, he threw down his napkin and seized his hat.
"Mon Dieu!" he cried; "that is true; and I had forgotten it for the moment. I must run. Excuse me, messieurs, but it is an adventure which I should be very sorry to miss.—Pay for me, Albert; I haven't time to wait for the bill."
"Very well! Will you come back this evening, to tell us the result of the interview?"
"To be sure; and to play a game of bouillotte with you. Will you be here?"
"No," said Mouillot; "if we want to make a night of it, we had better go to Balivan's; we shall be more at liberty there."