Le Cocu Part 70

XXV

LUCILE AGAIN

On the day following that night which was to change my destiny, I wrote to Pettermann to come to Saint-Mande to receive some commissions to which I wished him to attend. My faithful German speedily appeared; but he seemed to me to act with some constraint, and when he stood in front of me he did not speak.

"Well, Pettermann, what is there new?" I asked him. "I can see that you have something to tell me; why don't you speak?"

"Yes, monsieur, yes, I have something to tell you, but I don't know how to put it."

"Explain yourself!"

"You see, I'm afraid that you'll think I'm an idiot; when I say one thing and do another.--Faith, prout!--but never mind! Monsieur knows well enough that men are not phnixes! Here goes! Monsieur knows that I am married?"

"Yes."

"And that I left my wife because we didn't agree. She beat me and didn't want me to drink; I wanted to drink and not to be beaten."

"Well, Pettermann?"

"Well, monsieur, a few days ago I met my wife, and she spoke to me; she was as sweet as honey--in short, we melted toward each other. She asked me if I still got drunk; I told her that it only happened once a month; she said: 'n.o.body can find fault with once a month.'--In short, monsieur--you see--I've promised to take my wife back. But what makes me miserable is that then I shall have to leave you; and I'm afraid monsieur is angry with me too."

"No, Pettermann, no; take back your wife. Far from reproaching you, I approve your resolution. What is your wife doing now?"

"She's a concierge, monsieur, in a fine house within ten yards of the one where we live."

"Well! it is possible that you may remain with me."

"Ah! ten thousand prouts! how I should like that!"

"Is there a pleasant apartment to let in your wife's house?"

"Two magnificent ones--partly decorated; one on the second, one on the third; with wood-shed and cellar; plenty of mirrors. I know everything there is in the house."

"Hire the apartment on the second floor for me. Is it empty now?"

"Yes, monsieur."

"You will have my furniture moved there. Go to my upholsterer--here is his address. He will look over the apartment and do whatever he considers necessary, so that there may be nothing lacking. Everything must be finished and all ready for our reception in four days at the latest; for then--I am going to tell you something in confidence, Pettermann--then I am going to take back my wife too."

"Your wife? Why, is monsieur married?"

"Yes, my friend; and like you, I have not always agreed with my wife, although the causes of disagreement were not at all the same."

"Oh! I imagine not."

"But to-day I realize that I have done wrong, and I hope to find happiness once more with my wife and my children."

"Faith! it pleases me to know that, monsieur. As monsieur does the same thing that I do, my mind is at rest. And I shall still be in monsieur's service?"

"Yes, my friend. You understand me, do you not? See that everything is ready in four days."

"It shall be ready."

"But until then not a word--no indiscretion!"

"I am as dumb as a dead man."

Pettermann returned to Paris.

I felt more content with myself, better satisfied; and yet--I may confess it to myself--I had no love for Eugenie--no. But perhaps it was for the very reason that I had no love for her that it was possible for me to return to her. I saw in her the mother of my children, and I did not wish to condemn her to never-ending misery. We should never be to each other as we had been--that was impossible. I would treat her with consideration and affection, and time would do the rest. I should have to cease entirely to see Caroline. Ah! that was not the least of the sacrifices I should have made to my children. But, since everything was decided, since my resolution was irrevocable, I determined to go to see her on the next day for the last time, and to tell her that I was going back to my wife. She would think that I was influenced by her advice, her entreaties; I would not undeceive her.

I returned to the salon where all the others were a.s.sembled. I determined to forget myself, to be cheerful and merry. I played with the children, I kissed Madame Ernest, and I laughed with her husband.

"What's the matter with him to-day?" Ernest and his wife asked each other; "how happy he seems!"

"I am happy."

"What has happened to make you so cheerful?"

"I have had news that pleased me."

"From whom?"

"Oh! you shall know later."

The husband and wife exchanged glances; but I felt sure that they did not guess my purpose, and I continued at once:

"What is going on to-day? I feel strongly inclined to amuse myself."

"Why, we might go to the ball," said Ernest; "to-day is the last Saint-Mande ball, and they say that it will be very fine."

"I haven't been to one of them since I have been living here; I should not be sorry to see it. We will go. Do you agree?"

"Oh! I don't go to b.a.l.l.s," said Marguerite; "I don't care for them; I prefer to stay with the children. You two may go. But don't speak to any women; for there are women at all these b.a.l.l.s in the suburbs of Paris."

We promised to be good; and immediately after dinner Ernest and I started for the place where the local b.a.l.l.s were held. As the weather was superb, there were in addition to the people from Saint-Mande and from Vincennes, many Parisians, who desired to enjoy one more rural festivity. Numerous carriages were standing on the outskirts of the crowd.

"The deuce! this will be magnificent!" said Ernest. "I'll bet that we shall find more than one actress here; the princesses of the wings delight in open air b.a.l.l.s."

"You know that you promised your wife to be good."

"Oh! my friend, we always promise, and we keep our promise if we can!--Come, my dear Blemont, the music is striking up."

In fact, the dancing had begun. There was a great crowd; many pretty dresses, some peasants, a few bourgeoises, and a large number of kept women. It is the same at all open air b.a.l.l.s.

We had not walked ten steps when I heard my name called; I turned and saw Belan, with his wife and his mother-in-law on his arm, apparently very proud to escort his superb Armide. He honored me with a gracious nod; then, after finding seats for the ladies, he came to me and led me away from the dancing.