Besides, he began to be really interested in Madame Lescande--in her coquettish ways, at once artful and simple, provoking and timid, suggestive and reticent--in short, charming.
The same evening that M.de Camors, the elder, returned to his home bent on suicide, his son, passing up the Avenue Maillot, was stopped by Lescande on the threshold of his villa.
"My friend," said the latter, "as you are here you can do me a great favor.

A telegram calls me suddenly to Melun--I must go on the instant.
The ladies will be so lonely, pray stay and dine with them! I can't tell what the deuce ails my wife.

She has been weeping all day over her tapestry; my mother-in-law has a headache.

Your presence will cheer them.

So stay, I beg you." Camors refused, hesitated, made objections, and consented.