Edouard smiled—but this time with a good heart; and he once more took his friend’s arm, who looked at Robineau again, while a mocking smile played about his lips.
"You are still very busy, Robineau?"
"Oh, yes! always! We have an infernal amount of work to do. My chief relies on me; he knows that in moments of stress I am always on hand."
"What have you in that big portfolio that you hold so tight under your arm? Are you to play the part of a notary to-night?"
"Oh! it has nothing to do with acting; it’s work I am taking home."
"The devil!"
"Very important work. I sometimes spend a good part of the night on it. But I am certain of promotion."
Alfred made no reply to this; he bit his lips and glanced at Edouard, and a moment later he continued:
"And the love-affairs, Robineau—how do they come on? How many mistresses have you at this moment?"
"Oh! I am virtuous, very virtuous.—In the first place, my means do not permit me to keep women; in the second place, even if I had the means, I wouldn’t do it—my tastes don’t run that way. I insist upon being loved for myself!"