On the day following that night which was to change my destiny, I wrote to Pettermann to come to Saint-Mandé to receive some commissions to which I wished him to attend. My faithful German speedily appeared; but he seemed to me to act with some constraint, and when he stood in front of me he did not speak. “Well, Pettermann, what is there new?” I asked him. “I can see that you have something to tell me; why don’t you speak?” “Yes, monsieur, yes, I have something to tell you, but I don’t know how to put it.” “Explain yourself!” “You see, I’m afraid that you’ll think I’m an idiot; when I say one thing and do another.--Faith, prout!--but never mind! Monsieur knows well enough that men are not phœnixes! Here goes! Monsieur knows that I am married?” “Yes.” “And that I left my wife because we didn’t agree. She beat me and didn’t want me to drink; I wanted to drink and not to be beaten.” “Well, Pettermann?” “Well, monsieur, a few days ago I met my wife, and she spoke to me; she was as sweet as honey--in short, we melted toward each other. She asked me if I still got drunk; I told her that it only happened once a month; she said: ‘Nobody can find fault with once a month.’--In short, monsieur--you see--I’ve promised to take my wife back. But what makes me miserable is that then I shall have to leave you; and I’m afraid monsieur is angry with me too.” “No, Pettermann, no; take back your wife. Far from reproaching you, I approve your resolution. What is your wife doing now?” “She’s a concierge, monsieur, in a fine house within ten yards of the one where we live.” “Well! it is possible that you may remain with me.” “Ah! ten thousand prouts! how I should like that!” “Is there a pleasant apartment to let in your wife’s house?” “Two magnificent ones--partly decorated; one on the second, one on the third; with wood-shed and cellar; plenty of mirrors. I know everything there is in the house.” “Hire the apartment on the second floor for me. Is it empty now?” “Yes, monsieur.” “You will have my furniture moved there. Go to my upholsterer--here is his address. He will look over the apartment and do whatever he considers necessary, so that there may be nothing lacking. Everything must be finished and all ready for our reception in four days at the latest; for then--I am going to tell you something in confidence, Pettermann--then I am going to take back my wife too.” “Your wife? Why, is monsieur married?” “Yes, my friend; and like you, I have not always agreed with my wife, although the causes of disagreement were not at all the same.” “Oh! I imagine not.” “But to-day I realize that I have done wrong, and I hope to find happiness once more with my wife and my children.” “Faith! it pleases me to know that, monsieur. As monsieur does the same thing that I do, my mind is at rest. And I shall still be in monsieur’s service?” “Yes, my friend. You understand me, do you not? See that everything is ready in four days.” “It shall be ready.”