urage! be of
good cheer! I will accompany you to this interview, and if my hopes
do not deceive me, you will find you have been deluded by false
appearances."

When the night was come, the half-breed and Djalma, wrapped in their
cloaks, got into a hackney-coach. Faringhea ordered the coachman to
drive to the house inhabited by Sainte-Colombe.

CHAPTER LXIV. AN EVENING AT SAINTE-COLOMBE'S.

Leaving Djalma and Faringhea in the coach, on their way, a few words are
indispensable before continuing this scene. Ninny Moulin, ignorant of
the real object of the step he took at the instigation of Rodin, had,
on the evening before, according to orders received from the latter,
offered a considerable sum to Sainte-Colombe, to obtain from that
creature (still singularly rapacious) the use of her apartments for
whole day. Sainte-Colombe, having accepted this proposition, too
advantageous to be refused, had set out that morning with her servants,
to whom she wished, she said, in return for their good services, to give
a day's pleasure in the country. Master of the house, Rodin, in a black
wig, blue spectacles, and a cloak, and with his mouth and chin buried
in a worsted comforter--in a word, perfectly disguised--had gone that
morning to take a look at the apartments, and to give his instructions
to the half-caste. The latter, in two hours from the departure of the
Jesuit, had, thanks to his address and intelligence, completed the most
important preparation and returned in haste to Djalma, to play with
detestable hypocrisy the scene at which we have just been present.

During the ride from the Rue de Clichy to the Rue de Richelieu,
Faringhea appeared plunged in a mournful reverie. Suddenly, he said
to Djalma to a quick tone: "My lord, if I am betrayed, I must have
vengeance."

"Contempt is a terrible revenge," answered Djalma.

"No, no," replied the half-caste, with an accent of repressed rage. "It
is not enough. The nearer the moment approaches, the more I feel I must
have blood."

"Listen to me--"

"My lord, have pity on me! I was a coward to draw back from my revenge.
Let me leave you, my lord! I will go alone to this interview."

So saying, Faringhea made a movement, as if he would spring from the
carriage.

Djalma held him by the arm, and said: "Remain! I wilt not leave you.
If you are betrayed, you shall not shed blood. Contempt will avenge and
friendship will console you."

"No, no, my lord; I am resolved. W