Auguste gave a jump when he heard that voice; and Virginie, alarmed by his abrupt movement, asked:
“Well! what’s struck you now? Did you swallow a pigeon wing the wrong way?”
“No, nothing’s the matter. It was that voice that surprised me; I thought that I recognized——”
“Ah, yes! I understand; it is probably some old flame of monsieur who’s in yonder room. Well! what then? Do you think that you ought to think about any other woman when you’re with me? That’s very polite. Does it make any difference to you who the woman’s with? Are you still in love with her? If I knew that you were, I’d go and make a row.”
“Why, no; there’s no question of love, but it’s because——”
“Because, because—You don’t know what you’re saying. Eat your dinner at once. Why don’t you eat?”
“Indeed! monsieur has ceased to be hungry since he heard that lady’s voice, which has taken away his appetite. How touching! What are you getting up for? Where are you going?”
“I am going downstairs a minute.”
“I don’t want you to leave the room. You don’t need to go downstairs. You want to see that woman opposite, that’s all; but you shan’t see her.”