“Really, you are too close-mouthed,” said Mousseraud; “one can get nothing out of you.”
Chérubin, who was much embarrassed by the turn that the conversation had taken, drew his watch, pretending that he had an appointment.
While he was looking at the time, Oscar Chopinard, who was beside him, examined his watch.
“It’s very pretty, very thin, isn’t it?” asked Chérubin, holding the watch for his neighbor to see.
That gentleman took it, scrutinized it again very closely, and exclaimed:
“This is very strange! Is it a wager? Let me see the chain. Parbleu! the chain too. It would be curious if the pin—Allow me, my dear Chérubin.”
And Monsieur Oscar, who, after examining Chérubin’s watch, had scrutinized and weighed in his hand the chain that he wore about his neck, turned his attention to his diamond pin.
“What makes you stare at me like this?” queried Chérubin; “what is there about me that is so extraordinary?”
“You have upon you objects that I am much surprised to see you wear,” replied Oscar; “a young man as rich as you are. You certainly didn’t pay much for your watch and chain and pin?”
“Why, no, not too much—twenty-five hundred francs in all. To be sure, I got them at a bargain.”