Sauvresy's foresight in recommending the place of meeting had thus been
disconcerted by Jenny's sensational arrival. Questions were asked; the
hostess was adroitly interrogated, and it was soon known that this
person, who waited for eccentric young ladies at the Corbeil station,
was an intimate friend of the owner of Valfeuillu. Neither Hector nor
Jenny doubted that they formed the general topic of conversation. They
breakfasted gayly in the best room at the Belle Image, during which
Tremorel recounted a very pretty story about his restoration to life, in
which he played a part, the heroism of which was well calculated to
redouble the little lady's admiration. Then Jenny in her turn unfolded
her plans for the future, which were, to do her justice, most
reasonable. She had resolved more than ever to remain faithful to Hector
now that he was ruined, to give up her elegant rooms, sell her
furniture, and undertake some honest trade. She had found one of her old
friends, who was now an accomplished dressmaker, and who was anxious to
obtain a partner who had some money, while she herself furnished the
experience. They would purchase an establishment in the Breda quarter,
and between them could scarcely fail to prosper. Jenny talked with a
pretty, knowing, business-like air, which made Hector laugh. These
projects seemed very comic to him; yet he was touched by this
unselfishness on the part of a young and pretty woman, who was willing
to work in order to please him.
But, unhappily, they were forced to part. Jenny had gone to Corbeil
intending to stay a week; but the count told her this was absolutely
impossible. She cried bitterly at first, then got angry, and finally
consoled herself with a plan to return on the following Tuesday.
"Good-by," said she, embracing Hector, "think of me." She smilingly
added, "I ought to be jealous; for they say your friend's wife is
perhaps the handsomest woman in France. Is it true?"
"Upon my word, I don't know. I've forgotten to look at her."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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