Lucile entered a house with a passageway at the side, near Rue de Crussol. She went up to the third floor, opened her door, and ushered me into a modestly furnished, but neat and well-kept room. She went to the fireplace, blew up her fire and prepared to boil her coffee. I seized her arm and stopped her. “Will you leave me to suffer any longer, Lucile? I implore you, tell me all that you know about my wife!” She looked at me; she seemed distressed. “Mon Dieu! what a state you are in, Henri! If I had known it would have such an effect on you, I wouldn’t have told you. How stupid it is to feel badly over such a small matter! Your wife goes her way and you go yours--isn’t that the custom? You have mighty little philosophy!” “I shall have enough when I am certain of my fate. Once more--speak!” “Well, come to the window. Look: do you see that little low door over there?” “Yes.” “That is the rear entrance of a restaurant, a café, where there are private rooms--one of those assignation houses, you know.” “I understand you.” “If you go in this way, you are not seen, for you don’t go into the café at all. You go right upstairs; a bell calls a waiter, who opens a private room for you. Oh! it’s very convenient. I used to go there often.” “Well?” “Well! your wife goes there to meet her lover.” “My wife! It is false!” “Oh! I recognized her perfectly, although she generally comes in a cab and gets out a few steps away. She is always hidden by a broad-brimmed hat and wrapped in a shawl; but first of all I noticed her manner; I watched her. It amuses me to watch the lovers who go there. I haven’t anything to do, and it serves to pass the time! Yes, I am sure that it’s she. She hasn’t been there once only, but at least ten times.” “What time does she come?” “Usually it is only quarter-past, or half-past seven when she arrives, and she stays about an hour.” “What a lie! my wife never gets up before nine o’clock.” “So you think, my dear man! You imagine that she’s asleep.--What if I should tell you that she is over there now?” “Now?” “Yes; I saw her go in half an hour before I met you. Stay at the window; you will see a cab come that they will have sent for; madame will get in, and the gentleman will go away five minutes later. I know the whole programme.” “What sort of looking man is he?” “A young man, tall and dark. He’s very good-looking indeed; I must do your wife that justice.” I took my hat and strode toward the door. Lucile ran in front of me. “Where are you going?” “To make sure that it’s they.” “You are going to make a row! Can you think of such a thing?” “No, you don’t know me. When I am certain of my misfortune, I shall be calm; but I propose to see them. Let me go, Lucile; I insist.” “Very well! on condition that I go with you. I know the house, and I will show you the way, be your guide. But you promise----” “It’s all right! come.”