I left the Palais Royal and went to all the theatres where she was most often to be seen: to the Vaudeville, the Varietes, the Opera Comique.

She was nowhere.
Either my letter had troubled her too much for her to care to go to the theatre, or she feared to come across me, and so wished to avoid an explanation.

So my vanity was whispering to me on the boulevards, when I met Gaston, who asked me where I had been.
"At the Palais Royal." "And I at the Opera," said he; "I expected to see you there." "Why ?" "Because Marguerite was there." "Ah, she was there ?" "Yes.
"Alone ?" "No; with another woman." "That all ?" "The Comte de G.came to her box for an instant; but she went off with the duke.

I expected to see you every moment, for there was a stall at my side which remained empty the whole evening, and I was sure you had taken it." "But why should I go where Marguerite goes ?" "Because you are her lover, surely!" "Who told you that ?" "Prudence, whom I met yesterday.

I give you my congratulations, my dear fellow; she is a charming mistress, and it isn't everybody who has the chance.