"How did you happen to be there on my landing, talking with Raymond, whom you could never endure?" "But this couch--this couch here in the study?" "You shall know all about it, but answer me first." "Oh! I've no objection; I went into the country yesterday with Gerville--you know, the young government clerk who lives on the floor below." "Yes, my successor, in fact." "Your successor, call him so. We returned late; I was very tired, and----" "You passed the night with him; that's a matter of course, and perfectly natural, in my opinion. Well?" "Why, I had to go away this morning. At half-past six, I crept softly downstairs and was just passing through the porte cochère, when I saw Raymond standing guard at the corner. He scrutinized me, and smiled slyly.--'On my word,' he said, 'I didn't believe it was you; you were perfectly disguised; the fishwoman's costume is very becoming to you, and yet it changes you amazingly. I'd have sworn that Monsieur Dorsan was lying to me.'--I listened, without understanding a word; but your name and what he said aroused my curiosity. I suspected some mistake, so I forced Raymond to tell me all he knew; I haven't stopped laughing at it yet. Raymond was delighted when he found out that it wasn't I who was with you. I asked him if he was certain that your new victim was still in the house. He said he was; for he had passed most of the night on the landing, and had gone on duty at the porte cochère at daybreak. So I came up with him, to make the tableau more interesting; and we waited at least an hour, until it was your good pleasure to open your door. We would have stayed there till night, I assure you, rather than not satisfy our mutual curiosity." "Gad! what a fellow that Raymond is! An old woman couldn't have done better." "Well, I've told my story; now it's your turn." "What do you want me to tell you? You saw a girl leave my rooms, eh?" "Yes, she was very pretty; a face that takes your eye; rather a large mouth. But that costume! What, Monsieur Eugène! you, a dandy of dandies, caught by a round cap! Why, I no longer recognize you!" "For what I propose to do, mademoiselle, the question of cap or hat is of no consequence at all." "Of course, you don't propose to do anything, because you have done enough." "You are mistaken, Agathe. That is an honest, virtuous girl; she is nothing to me, and never will be." "What's that? Oh! it's as plain as a pikestaff: she came here to sleep, so as not to be afraid of the dark; that's all!-- "'Go and see if they're coming, Jean!'" "I realize that appearances are against us; and yet nothing can be more true than what I tell you. The explanation as to the couch being in the study is that she slept in my bedroom, and I slept here." "For ten minutes, very likely; but after that you joined her." "No; I swear that I did not." "You'd never have been donkey enough to stay here." "I understand that, in your eyes, virtue and innocence are the merest folly."