Moscowitch, feeling bored and out of place among such obscure discussions, bowed to the honorable editors, and excusing himself to Entragues, left.
"Ah!" Renaudeau said, "perhaps we are going to learn who this new manufacturer of dramatic literature is."
"I do not know myself," Entragues answered, "having brought him here only through international courtesy."
"And to get rid of him?" Fortier questioned. "But Renaudeau does not permit himself to be overreached. Besides, we shall see, for he has left me a copy: 'The Voluntary Expiation, drama in eight scenes.' Ah! there is an Explanatory Note: 'In default of social justice, inner justice punishes the guilty; one has opprobrium for its end; the other, rehabilitation; the one abases, the other elevates.' A period, then a dash, and these three words twice underlined: 'VOLUNTARY EXPIATION SANCTIFIES.'"
"Well!" Entragues said, "it is quite puerile, but perhaps the text contains interesting details."
"Yes," Renaudeau put in, "a new form justifies all subjects, as a fine resilvering conceals verdigris. Do you ask for indulgence?"
"Oh! no," Entragues returned, "although I have a certain interest in having him believe he is destined for fame. If you wish to oblige me, humor him with illusions until the final dagger thrust."
"So you are becoming wicked, Entragues?" asked Fortier.
"No, it is just for the sport."
He requested an envelope and, after inserting the box ticket with his card and writing the name of Madame Sixtine Magne upon it, he had it dispatched to her. As soon as the office boy left, remorse seized him: perhaps he would have done better to go there in person. No. Yes. No. Yes.