These words were accompanied by a mocking smile. The stranger’s features wore an even more malicious and evil expression than usual.
"How do you know all this?" demanded Alfred.
"How do I know it? Parbleu! it’s not very difficult to know. Lovers always think themselves alone, and they do not trouble themselves to conceal their feelings. I had plenty of time to count their kisses!"
"Their kisses!" replied Alfred, trembling with anger.
"Why, yes! Does that surprise you? Oh! your friend doesn’t go slow; with his little sugary way, he gets ahead! What surprises me is that you, who seem accustomed to the ways of the world, are not more advanced than he."
"But," replied Alfred, stifling a sigh, "since it is Edouard whom she prefers——"
"Whom she prefers! Nonsense! As if these little girls ever had a preference! They love everybody, everybody who makes love to them. She would have loved you, if you didn’t always come last. However, whenever you choose, it will rest entirely with you to carry the day. Don’t you know that with time and money one can accomplish everything?"
"Really," said Alfred, gazing at the vagabond in surprise, "you have principles which I should never have expected to find in an old soldier."
"Soldier! Who told you that I was ever a soldier?" retorted the stranger proudly.
"You yourself, the other morning, after speaking of my father, whose name made such an impression upon you."