There is always such a secret mental reservation in the lover's mind when associating with the husband of his inamorata.
When he entered the room of his wife, whose indisposition had been reported to him, Christian's first words were: "This Monsieur de Gerfaut appears to be a very excellent fellow, and I shall be delighted if he will stay with us a while.

It is too bad that you are ill.

He is a good musician, as well as Marillac; you might have sung together.

Try to get better quickly and come down to dinner." "I can not really tell him that Monsieur de Gerfaut has loved me for more than a year," said Madame de Bergenheim to herself.
A moment later, Mademoiselle de Corandeuil appeared, and with a prim air seated herself beside the bed.
"Perhaps you think that I am fooled by this indisposition.

I see plainly that you wish to be impolite to Monsieur de Gerfaut, for you can not endure him.