“If we meet the gentleman in the forest, we will send him back to madame.”
That fling was the last straw, and Auguste felt amply avenged.
XI
A VISIT TO MONTFERMEIL
Auguste, who had no secrets from the faithful Bertrand, told him of the meeting in Romainville forest.
“Well, lieutenant,” said Bertrand, “was Madame Schtrack mistaken when she told me about the little man that slunk upstairs as soon as you left?”
“I thought that Léonie adored me.”
“I’m surprised at that, lieutenant; you deceive the ladies so often yourself, that you ought to be a little more suspicious of their oaths.”
“On the contrary, my dear Bertrand, I assure you that those who are most cunning in seduction allow themselves to be deceived with astounding ease.”
“Then it’s no use to be cunning.”
“Because you’re very fond of a person, that doesn’t prove that you know that person thoroughly.”