Bernard understood that he was gaining ground. “And now, weren’t you in need of a secretary? I can’t believe I should fill the post badly--it would be with such joy.” This time Edouard laughed outright. Laura watched them both with amusement. “Ho! Ho!... We must think about that. Come and see me to-morrow at the same time, and here--if Madame Douviers will allow it--for I have a great many things to settle with her too. You’re staying at a hotel, I suppose? Oh, I don’t want to know where. It doesn’t matter in the least. Till to-morrow.” He held out his hand. “Sir, before I leave you,” said Bernard, “will you allow me to remind you that there is a poor old music-master, called La Pérouse, I think, who is living in the Faubourg St. Honoré, and who would be made very happy by a visit from you?” “Upon my word, that’s not a bad beginning. You have a very fair notion of your future duties.” “Then.... Really? You consent?” “We’ll see about it to-morrow. Good-bye.” Edouard, after having stayed a few moments longer with Laura, went to the Moliniers’. He hoped to see Olivier again; he wanted to speak to him about Bernard. He saw only Pauline, though he stayed on and on in desperation. Olivier, that very afternoon, yielding to the pressing invitation passed on to him by his brother, had gone to visit the author of _The Horizontal Bar_, the Comte de Passavant. XV OLIVIER VISITS THE COMTE DE PASSAVANT “I WAS afraid your brother hadn’t delivered my message,” said Robert on seeing Olivier come into the room. “Am I late?” he asked, coming forward timidly and almost on tip-toe. He had kept his hat in his hand and Robert took it from him. “Put that down. Make yourself comfortable. Here, in this arm-chair, I think you’ll be all right. Not late at all, to judge by the clock. But my wish to see you went faster than the time. Do you smoke?” “No, thank you,” said Olivier, waving aside the cigarette case, which the Comte de Passavant held out to him. He refused out of shyness, though he was really longing to try one of the slender, amber-scented cigarettes (Russian, no doubt,) which lay ranged in the proffered case. “Yes, I’m glad you were able to come. I was afraid you might be too much taken up with your examination. When is it?” “The written is in ten days. But I’m not working much. I think I’m ready and I’m more afraid of being fagged when I go up.” “Still, I suppose you’d refuse to undertake any other occupation just now?” “No ... if it isn’t too absorbing, that is.” “I’ll tell you why I asked you to come. First, for the pleasure of seeing you again. The other night in the foyer, during the _entr’acte_, we were just getting into a talk. I was exceedingly interested by what you said. I expect you don’t remember?” “Oh yes, I do,” said Olivier, who was under the impression he had said nothing but stupidities.