It seemed to me that if we were to maintain that attitude, I should do well to ring for dinner at once. Our room looked on the Champs-Elysées. The weather was beautiful; although it was only the middle of April, it was as warm as midsummer. I opened the window and looked out at the passers-by for some time. Eugénie did not budge; I walked to her side. “Eugénie, do you propose to stay a mile away from the table like this?” “I told you that I was not hungry. Eat your dinner, monsieur, I don’t object.” “What a delightful pleasure party!” “Yes, I shall remember it.” “And so shall I, madame. You must have a very bad temper to refuse to listen to reason! The idea of thinking that I was looking for that woman when I was waiting for you!” “I don’t say that you were looking for her, monsieur, I am not foolish enough for that; but I do think that she was looking for you, a task which you often save her, no doubt. Besides, you have admitted that she used to be your mistress.” “That I knew her before I was married, that is true, madame. Perhaps I was foolish to admit that; but as I had done no wrong, I did not think that I ought to lie.” “When a man has known a woman, and continues to see her, he must be on as good terms with her as ever.” “You are very much mistaken! If it were so, men would have altogether too much on their hands.” “Everybody has not known all Paris as you have!” “Madame, I have been no better nor worse than other men; but I see that I should have been less honest with you.” “You ought to have been more honest with me before marrying me.” “How nice it would have been to tell a virtuous young lady about all my adventures as a bachelor! Really, you are too absurd.” I seized the bell cord and jerked it violently, for I felt that my irritation was getting the upper hand of me. The waiter came; he opened the door a crack and put the end of his nose inside, saying: “What does monsieur wish?” “Our dinner.” “Instantly, monsieur.” And he went away after casting a furtive glance at Eugénie. “Madame, you need not eat, if you prefer not; but you should sit at the table at least, in order not to attract the waiter’s attention.” Eugénie made no reply, but she took her seat at the table opposite me. The soup was brought, and I filled madame’s plate. “Why, monsieur, I told you that I should not eat anything.” “But, madame, I do not bid you to eat anything; I simply put some soup in your plate so that you may seem to have dined.” Madame made no reply, but she did not touch her soup. I ate mine, humming between my teeth. That is my way when I am angry. The waiter appeared again; he always took the precaution to turn the knob three or four times before coming in. The fellow was an idiot; he must have seen that we were not thinking of making love.