Prudence next took her place in the box, and a man, whom I recognised as
the Comte de G., seated himself at the back. As I saw him, a cold shiver
went through my heart.
Doubtless Marguerite perceived the impression made on me by the presence
of this man, for she smiled to me again, and, turning her back to the
count, appeared to be very attentive to the play. At the third entr'acte
she turned and said two words: the count left the box, and Marguerite
beckoned to me to come to her.
"Good-evening," she said as I entered, holding out her hand.
"Good-evening," I replied to both Marguerite and Prudence.
"Sit down."
"But I am taking some one's place. Isn't the Comte de G. coming back?"
"Yes; I sent him to fetch some sweets, so that we could talk by
ourselves for a moment. Mme. Duvernoy is in the secret."
"Yes, my children," said she; "have no fear. I shall say nothing."
"What is the matter with you to-night?" said Marguerite, rising and
coming to the back of the box and kissing me on the forehead.
"I am not very well."
"You should go to bed," she replied, with that ironical air which went
so well with her delicate and witty face.
"Where?"
"At home."
"You know that I shouldn't be able to sleep there."
"Well, then, it won't do for you to come and be pettish here because you
have seen a man in my box."
"It is not for that reason."
"Yes, it is. I know; and you are wrong, so let us say no more about
it. You will go back with Prudence after the theatre, and you will stay
there till I call. Do you understand?"
"Yes."
How could I disobey?
"You still love me?"
"Can you ask?"
"You have thought of me?"
"All day long."
"Do you know that I am really afraid that I shall get very fond of you?
Ask Prudence."
"Ah," said she, "it is amazing!"
"Now, you must go back to your seat. The count will be coming back, and
there is nothing to be gained by his finding you here."
"Because you don't like seeing him."
"No; only if you had told me that you wanted to come to the Vaudeville
to-night I could have got this box for you as well as he."