Zouhra thereupon gave another shriek.
All this had occurred with the rapidity of a flash of lightning. My
rival, closing his window, had disappeared like a jack-in-the-box.
We were alone.
"Ah! ha!" I then said to the unworthy creature, "so this is your
conduct----"
She answered nothing; she still hoped, no doubt, that she would be able
to deny the facts, with the brazen assurance of the woman who, although
surprised in the act, puts on a grand air, and waxes wrathful as at an
insult.
"Who was that man up there," I resumed, "with whom you were
corresponding?"
"A man!" she finally answered with her strong Turkish accent which I
will spare you. "I don't know what you mean--I don't know any men--I
have never seen any!"
"But he was at that window--there."
"Well, what does that prove?" she retorted. "Does that concern me? Can I
prevent people from coming to their windows?"
"No, but when they are there you might prevent yourself from making
signs to them; and especially from returning the kisses they send to
you."
"Signs, I? I made signs!" she exclaimed. "Ah! that is really too bad!
Who do you take me for then?"
"Why, I surprised you, and I stayed your hand when you had your fingers
raised to your lips."
"Well, can't I put my fingers to my lips now? What, am I not to have the
right to make a gesture, without accounting for it, without being
insulted? Did any one ever see a woman treated in such an odious
fashion? Well, tie me up then!"
You are acquainted with women's tactics, my dear Louis: they are always
the same in such cases. I put a stop to it all after letting her deny
the facts.
"Come, come," I said to her. "This is not the time for you to play the
part of a persecuted victim. For the last half hour I have been watching
you from behind those curtains. I saw everything--with my opera-glass,"
I added, showing her the glass in proof of my assertion.
Struck by this victorious demonstration she stood there in
consternation. For a moment I enjoyed the effect I had produced and then
continued: "I saw the letter which he showed you, and the one which you have in
your pocket--I can still see a bit of it peeping out."
On hearing this she became very red; and with incredible swiftness drew
forth the incriminating missive, which she tore into a hundred pieces.