They both ate with a very good appetite. Henriette was very calm, but
laughed and joked. Her husband watched her furtively. She had on a pink
teagown trimmed with white lace, and her fair head, her white neck and
her plump hands stood out from that coquettish and perfumed dress as
though it were a sea shell edged with foam.

What fun they must be making of him, if he had been their dupe since the
first day! Was it possible to make a fool of a man, of a worthy man,
because his father had left him a little money? Why could one not see
into people's souls? How was it that nothing revealed to upright hearts
the deceits of infamous hearts? How was it that voices had the same sound
for adoring as for lying? Why was a false, deceptive look the same as a
sincere one? And he watched them, waiting to catch a gesture, a word, an
intonation. Then suddenly he thought: "I will surprise them this
evening," and he said:

"My dear, as I have dismissed Julie, I will see about getting another
girl this very day. I will go at once to procure one by to-morrow
morning, so I may not be in until late."

"Very well," she replied; "go. I shall not stir from here. Limousin will
keep me company. We will wait for you." Then, turning to the maid, she
said: "You had better put George to bed, and then you can clear away and
go up to your room."

Parent had got up; he was unsteady on his legs, dazed and bewildered, and
saying, "I shall see you again later on," he went out, holding on to the
wall, for the floor seemed to roll like a ship. George had been carried
out by his nurse, while Henriette and Limousin went into the