that I know her."

"Bah! I don't despair of seeing you one day at the back of her
box, and of bearing that you are ruining yourself for her.
However, you are right, she hasn't been well brought up; but she
would be a charming mistress to have."

Happily, the curtain rose and my friend was silent. I could not
possibly tell you what they were acting. All that I remember is
that from time to time I raised my eyes to the box I had quitted
so abruptly, and that the faces of fresh visitors succeeded one
another all the time.

I was far from having given up thinking about Marguerite. Another
feeling had taken possession of me. It seemed to me that I had
her insult and my absurdity to wipe out; I said to myself that if
I spent every penny I had, I would win her and win my right to
the place I had abandoned so quickly.

Before the performance was over Marguerite and her friend left
the box. I rose from my seat.

"Are you going?" said Ernest.

"Yes."

"Why?"

At that moment he saw that the box was empty.