“Where are you going?”
“To make sure that it’s they.”
“You are going to make a row! Can you think of such a thing?”
“No, you don’t know me. When I am certain of my misfortune, I shall be
calm; but I propose to see them. Let me go, Lucile; I insist.”
“Very well! on condition that I go with you. I know the house, and I
will show you the way, be your guide. But you promise----”
“It’s all right! come.”
Lucile put on her bonnet and threw a shawl over her shoulders. We went
downstairs and soon stood before the house opposite. We opened a small
wooden gate which rang a bell; then we ascended a short flight of
stairs. Lucile took my hand and walked before me. My heart beat so
violently that I was obliged to stop to recover my breath.
We arrived in a courtyard, where an attendant was waiting for us under a
porch; he went upstairs before us. When we reached the landing, I
stopped him:
“You have a gentleman and lady here?”
The waiter looked at me, uncertain whether he should reply. I put twenty
francs in his hand and repeated my question, describing the two persons.
“Oh! I know who you mean, monsieur. In fact we don’t usually have
anybody but them at this time of day. They’re there--on the front.”
“Give us a room next to theirs.”
The waiter opened the door of a large room. How was I to see them? If
there were only a partition between us! but it was a solid wall. No
matter! I would at least see her go out. The waiter received orders to
notify me when they sent for a cab.
What a situation! to be so near one’s wife when she is in the arms of a
lover! I was tempted to break down the door. But no, no, I determined to
control myself, for my children’s sake. But suppose it were not she? I
went close to the wall and listened. I heard sounds, but could
distinguish nothing. Lucile softly opened the door leading into the
hall, and said, pointing to the next door:
“You can hear better there.”
I walked to the door with the greatest caution and put my ear against
it. Yes, I could hear very distinctly; they were kissing. And I made out
these words:
“I must go now. I want to be in my room before monsieur leaves his
study.”
It was she, it was certainly she in that room! that voice went to my
heart, it caused a revolution in my whole being.
I returned to Lucile. I do not know what had taken place within me, or
what expression my face wore; but Lucile threw herself at my feet,
weeping, and faltered:
“Forgive me! oh! forgive me! Great heaven! if I had only known! How
sorry I am for what I’ve done!”
I made no reply; I could not speak. The bell rang in the next room and I
listened.
The waiter answered the bell and they sent for a cab. I recognized
Dulac’s voice then. I tore my hair, but I restrained myself. The waiter
came to me and told me when the cab was at the door; whereupon I left
the room and waited at the foot of the stairs.
She came down at last; I heard the rustling of her dress. She had
reached the last stair when I abruptly stepped in front of her and
grasped her arm. Eugénie raised her eyes, and, terror-stricken, fell
without a sound on the stairs.
I lifted her up, and put her, or rather, threw her into the cab; I gave
the address to the driver, then I walked rapidly away as if I could not
fly fast enough from that house where I had acquired proofs of my
shame.