The Corsican Brothers Part 16

"Go to the Devil, then!"

And with this pious e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.i.o.n he continued his course.

"Who is that gentleman?" inquired Louis.

"That is D----, one of my friends; a very cheerful youth, though he is the manager of one of our most respectable papers."

"Monsieur D----!" exclaimed Louis. "Do you know _him?_"

"Certainly. I have known him for some years."

"And is he the person with whom you are invited to sup this evening?"

"Yes, the same."

"Then it was to his house you intended to take me?"

"Yes."

"Then that alters the case. I accept, and with very great pleasure."

"All right. That settles the question."

"Perhaps, after all, I ought not to go," muttered Louis, smiling sadly. "But you remember what I said yesterday about my destiny. Here is the proof. I should have done better not to have come here this evening."

At this moment we again encountered D----. "My dear fellow," I said, "I have changed my mind!"

"And you will join us?"

"Yes."

"Bravo! But I ought to mention one thing."

"That is?"

"That whoever sups with us to-night, sups with us again to-morrow evening."

"By what law of society is that?"

"By the laws of the wager made with Chateau Renaud."

I felt Louis' arm quiver as it rested on mine--I turned round; but though his face was deadly pale, it was impa.s.sable.

"What is the wager?" I inquired.

"Oh, it would occupy too much time to repeat here, and, besides, some one interested might overhear, and it might thus be lost."

"What wonderful discretion you possess! At three, then."

"At three!"

Once more we separated, and as I glanced at the clock I saw it then was thirty-five minutes past two.

"Do you know this M. de Chateau Renaud?" asked Louis, who vainly attempted to command his voice, and to conceal his emotion.

"Only by sight. I have met him occasionally in society."

"Then he is not a friend of yours?"

"Not even an acquaintance."

"Ah, so much the better," replied Louis.

"Why so?"

"For no particular reason."

"But do you know him?"

"Indirectly."

Notwithstanding this evasive answer, it was easy to perceive that between Louis and Chateau Renaud there existed one of those mysterious bonds which could only be forged by a woman. An instinctive feeling a.s.sured me that it would be best for all if he and I returned home quietly.

"Will you take my advice, Monsieur de Franchi," I said.

"About what? tell me!"

"Do not go to supper at D----'s house."

"Why not? Does he not expect us. Have you not told him that you will bring a friend?"

"Yes, but that is not the point."

"What is the point then?"

"I am sure you had better not go, that is all!"

"But surely you have some reason to give for your change of opinion; just now you were insisting on my presence at D----'s against my will."

"I did not then know that we should meet Chateau Renaud."

"But that is all the better. I believe he is a very pleasant companion, and I shall be glad to make his acquaintance."

"Very well," I replied--"so be it. Shall we go now?"

We accordingly went downstairs for our paletots.

D---- lived within a short distance of the opera house, the morning was very fine, and I hoped that the open air would enliven my companion. So I proposed that we should walk, and this he agreed to.