The Corsican Brothers Part 15

"Half-past twelve midnight, if that will suit you."

"And whereabouts?"

"In the _foyer_--at one, I will be in front of the clock."

"That is understood."

We then shook hands and he left the house quickly. It was on the stroke of twelve.

As for me, I occupied myself all the afternoon and all the next day in those employments as a man is obliged to undertake on his return from a lengthened tour.

At half-past twelve o'clock at night I was at the rendezvous.

Louis had been waiting some time--he had been following a mask which he thought he recognized, but the lady had been lost in the crowd, and he had not been able to rejoin her.

I wished to speak of Corsica, but Louis was too absent to follow out such a grave subject of conversation. His eyes were constantly fixed on the clock, and suddenly he rushed away from my side, exclaiming:

"Ah, there is my bouquet of violets."

He pushed through the crowd to join a woman who, evidently with a purpose, was holding a large bouquet of violets in her hand.

There were bouquets of every species in the foyer, and I myself was soon accosted by a bouquet of camellias, which congratulated me upon my safe return to Paris.

To the camellias succeeded a bouquet of rose-pompons.

To these succeeded a bouquet of heliotrope.

In fact I was engaged with my fifteenth bouquet when I encountered D----.

"Ah, is it you, _mon cher?_" he cried. "Welcome back; you have returned just in time. I have a little supper party this evening--so-and-so and so-and-so--and we shall count upon you."

"A thousand thanks, my dear fellow; but though I am strongly tempted to accept your invitation, I can't. I am engaged to somebody."

"Yes; but everyone else will bring somebody also," said D----. "It is quite understood that there are to be six water-bottles, whose destiny it is to refresh bouquets."

"Ah, you are mistaken. I shall have no bouquet to put in a water-bottle; I am with a friend."

"Well, you know the proverb, 'Friends of our friends.'"

"It is a young gentleman whom you do not know."

"Well, then, we will make his acquaintance."

"I will tell him of his good fortune."

"Yes, and if he decline, bring him by force."

"I will do what I can, I promise you. At what time?"

"Three o'clock; but as supper will remain on table till six you have ample margin."

"Very well."

A bouquet of myosotis, which perhaps had heard the latter portion of our conversation, then took D----'s arm and walked on with him.

Shortly afterwards I met Louis, who had by this time got rid of his violets.

As the lady who honoured me with her attention just then was a trifle dull, I despatched her to one of my friends, and took Louis' arm.

"Well," I said, "have you learnt what you wanted to know?"

"Oh, yes! You know that at a masked ball people talk of the very things they ought to leave you in ignorance of."

"My poor friend," I said, "pardon me for thus addressing you; but it appears to me that I know you since I have known your brother. Look here--you are unhappy, are not you? Now what is it?"

"Oh, my goodness! Nothing worth talking about."

I saw that he did not wish to speak on the subject, so I said no more.

We took two or three turns in silence.--I was quite indifferent, for I expected n.o.body, but he was anxiously examining every domino that pa.s.sed.

At length I said, "Do you know what you might do to-night?"

He started like a man suddenly aroused.

"I! No. I beg your pardon; what did you say?"

"I was about to propose a distraction which it seems to me you need."

"What is it?"

"Come to supper with a friend of mine, with me."

"Oh, no--I am not in a festive humour."

"Bah! They will talk nothing but nonsense, and that will amuse you."

"Well--but I am not invited!"

"You mistake--for you are."

"It is very kind on your part--but 'pon my word I am not worthy of--"

Just then we crossed D----. He seemed very much engaged with his bouquet of myosotis. Nevertheless he saw me.

"Well," he said, "is it settled? Three o'clock."

"Less settled than ever," I replied--"I cannot join you."