“Wait a little,” he exclaimed, darting toward the washbasin, full of water, “wait an instant!” But it seemed as if it took him a week to wash it off. CHAPTER XV. MY WIFE GOES TO A DANCE Madame--Ah! it is so nice of you to come home early! (Looking at the clock.) A quarter to six. But how cold you are! your hands are frozen; come and sit by the fire. (She puts a log on the fire.) I have been thinking of you all day. It is cruel to have to go out in such weather. Have you finished your doubts? are you satisfied? Monsieur--Quite well satisfied, dear. (Aside.) But I have never known my wife to be so amiable. (Aloud, taking up the bellows.) Quite well satisfied, and I am very hungry. Has my darling been good? Madame--You are hungry. Good! (Calling out.) Marie, call into the kitchen that your master wants to dine early. Let them look after everything--and send up a lemon. Monsieur--A mystery? Madame--Yes, Monsieur, I have a little surprise for you, and I fancy that it will delight you. Monsieur--Well, what is the surprise? Madame--Oh! it is a real surprise. How curious you look! your eyes are glittering already. Suppose I were not to tell you anything? Monsieur--Then you would vex me very much. Madame--There, I don’t want to vex you. You are going to have some little green oysters and a partridge. Am I good? Monsieur--Oysters and a partridge! You are an angel. (He kisses her.) An angel. (Aside.) What on earth is the matter with her? (Aloud.) Have you had visitors to-day? Madame--I saw Ernestine this morning, but she only stayed a moment. She has just discharged her maid. Would you believe it, that girl was seen the night before last dressed up as a man, and in her master’s clothes, too! That was going too far. Monsieur--That comes of having confidential servants. And you just got a sight of Ernestine? Madame--And that was quite enough, too. (With an exclamation.) How stupid I am! I forgot. I had a visit from Madame de Lyr as well. Monsieur--God bless her! But does she still laugh on one side of her mouth to hide her black tooth? Madame-How cruel you are! Yet, she likes you very well. Poor woman! I was really touched by her visit. She came to remind me that we--now you will be angry. (She kisses him and sits down beside him.) Monsieur--Be angry! be angry! I’m not a Turk. Come, what is it? Madame--Come, we shall go to dinner. You know that there are oysters and a partridge. I won’t tell you--you are already in a bad temper. Besides, I all but told her that we are not going. Monsieur--(raising his hands aloft)--I thought so. She and her evening may go to the dogs. What have I done to this woman that she should so pester me?