The idea that the girl might be with Girmandel appeased his jealousy, and he dreaded to learn that she had broken with him.
Of course he would never have allowed himself to question a mother as to her daughter's lovers.

But it was permissible to speak of Girmandel to Madame Nanteuil, who saw nothing that was other than respectable in the relations of her household with the Government official, who was well-to-do, married, and the father of two charming daughters.

To bring Girmandel's name into the conversation he had only to resort to a stratagem.

Chevalier hit upon one which he thought was ingenious.
"By the way," he remarked, "I saw Girmandel just now in a carriage." Madame Nanteuil made no comment.
"He was driving down the Boulevard Saint-Michel in a cab.

I certainly thought I recognized him.