Monsieur Gerbault's arrival put an end to this conversation. He greeted Gustave cordially, and the young man made no secret of the pleasure it would give him to come frequently to the house; he did not mention Fanny, preferring not to begin to talk of his renewed hopes at their very first meeting; but he adroitly found a way to make known his financial position, which would enable him, if he married, to offer an attractive prospect to the woman who should bear his name. Now that his oldest daughter was a widow, Monsieur Gerbault saw no impropriety in Gustave's meeting her; and he was the first to urge the young man to come to his house at his pleasure, as before. Gustave was enchanted; he pressed Monsieur Gerbault's hand, then Adolphine's, and took his leave without noticing that the latter's depression had become more marked than ever. XLIII A COMPLETE REFORMATION The next evening, at six o'clock, Cherami, dressed with an elegance which made of him once more the stylish beau of former days, was walking near the Passage de l'Opera. Several of his former boon companions, who had ceased to bow to him since he had worn a threadbare coat, had stopped when they caught sight of him and acted as if they would accost him; but Cherami at once turned on his heel, saying to himself: "Go your way, canaille! I know what you amount to, my fine fellows! You wouldn't look at me when I was strapped. You recognize me because I am well dressed. Avaunt! I have had enough of such people!" Gustave soon appeared; he could not restrain an exclamation of surprise as he gazed at the man who could once more call himself Beau Arthur. "Sapristi! my dear fellow! Pray excuse these manifestations of surprise," said Gustave; "but, upon my word, at first glance I didn't recognize you. You are superb--I don't exaggerate; no one could wear handsome clothes more gracefully." "That's a relic of early habit." "Why have you gotten yourself up so finely?" "It was the least I could do to show my respect for such a friend as you." "Let us go and dine, and we will talk." "I am at your service." The gentlemen entered the Cafe Anglais, and Gustave said to his companion: "Order the dinner; you know how to do it." "Pardon me, but I think I won't order again," said Cherami; "I went about it like a bull in a china-shop; I don't propose to do it any more; you do the ordering." "What does this mean? You, a man who understood life so well!" "On the contrary, I understood it very ill; and I have changed all that--a complete reformation; better late than never." Gustave finally decided to order the dinner; but at every moment his guest said to him: "Enough; that's quite enough! and we'll have only one kind of wine." "Faith! my dear fellow, you may eat and drink what you choose; but I propose to order to suit myself; I haven't turned hermit, you see." "Go on, you are the master. I will get drunk, if you insist; it's my duty to obey you."