"Ah! monsieur, what you're doing---- Well! if anyone should ever speak ill of you in my presence, he'd get Brisquet in his face. This is Brisquet I'm combing." "Au revoir, Madame Potrelle! I'll come again in a few days to hear about little Marie." XLI THE REWARD OF WELLDOING Several days passed, and I had not been again to see Mignonne. Rosette had called upon me several times; but my pretty grisette talked too much about Monsieur Freluchon, the dealer in sponges; which led me to think that our relations would not last much longer. Madame Dauberny was slightly indisposed; she sent for me to come to her, and I lost no time in complying. She seemed touched by my zeal. She was charming with me; she asked me about Rosette, but laughingly and without irony, as before; then she said, shaking her head: "I am no longer afraid that that girl will make you lose your common sense and forget our friendship." "Have you ever been afraid of that?" "Why, yes. My friendship is too selfish. It is wrong, I realize that; but I am jealous, which a friend has no right to be. Scold me, monsieur." "On the contrary, I forgive you--the more freely because I seem to have the same conception of friendship that you do; for----" "For what? Go on!" "Well! I too am jealous of the affection you bestow on others. And on that trip to the country, when Balloquet made love to you--that vexed me terribly." "Really? Did you suppose for a moment that I would listen to that man?" "Why not--if he had pleased you?" "If he had pleased me--very good; but you know perfectly well that he could not please me--seriously. And so your friendship is jealous, too?" She lowered her eyes as she asked that question. I took her hand and pressed it affectionately. At that moment, her maid entered and said: "Monsieur Dauberny, who has just arrived, wishes to know if he may come to inquire for madame's health." Frédérique was thunderstruck. She glanced at me, murmuring: "He has come back! What a misfortune! I had flattered myself that he would never come back. But, after all, we must submit to our fate. After five months' absence, I dare not refuse to receive him; for his visit is solely one of politeness, no doubt. Remain, my friend; your presence will give me strength to endure Monsieur Dauberny's. Will you do me this favor?" "If you authorize me to do so, madame, I will remain." Frédérique told her maid that she might admit Monsieur Dauberny. I was intensely agitated by the thought that I should soon be in that man's presence; but I strove to conceal my agitation beneath a calm and indifferent air.