"What a funny man that is!" said Nicette, as I entered the room with a
light. "When I saw that figure, in his shirt, that neckerchief tied with
a lover's knot, that big nose, and those surprised eyes, I couldn't keep
from laughing."
"I must confess, Mademoiselle Nicette, that you cause me a lot of
trouble!"
"Do I, monsieur? Oh! I am so sorry!"
"But here we are in my rooms at last, God be praised! I don't quite
know, though, how you are to go out!"
"Pardine! through the door, as I came."
"That's easy for you to say! However, we will see, when to-morrow
comes."
Nicette looked about her. She examined my apartment, my furniture; she
followed me into each room; I had only three, by the way: a small
reception room, a bedroom, and a study where I worked, or read, or
played the piano, or did whatever else I chose.
"Sit down and rest," I said.
"Oh! in a moment, monsieur; you see----"
She glanced at my couch and my easy-chairs; she seemed to be afraid to
go near them. I could not help smiling at her embarrassment.
"Doesn't the apartment please you?" I inquired.
"Oh! yes, indeed, monsieur! but it's all so fine and so shiny! I'm
afraid of spoiling something."
"You need not be afraid."