an hour later I was at Prudence's. She had only
just got in.

Chapter 13

"You have come almost as quickly as we," said Prudence.

"Yes," I answered mechanically. "Where is Marguerite?"

"At home."

"Alone?"

"With M. de G."

I walked to and fro in the room.

"Well, what is the matter?"

"Do you think it amuses me to wait here till M. de G. leaves
Marguerite's?"

"How unreasonable you are! Don't you see that Marguerite can't turn the
count out of doors? M. de G. has been with her for a long time; he has
always given her a lot of money; he still does. Marguerite spends more
than a hundred thousand francs a year; she has heaps of debts. The duke
gives her all that she asks for, but she does not always venture to ask
him for all that she is in want of. It would never do for her to quarrel
with the count, who is worth to her at least ten thousand francs a year.
Marguerite is very fond of you, my dear fellow, but your liaison with
her, in her interests and in yours, ought not to be serious. You with
your seven or eight thousand francs a year, what could you do toward
supplying all the luxuries which a girl like that is in need of? It
would not be enough to keep her carriage. Take Marguerite for what
she is, for a good, bright, pretty girl; be her lover for a month, two
months; give her flowers, sweets, boxes at the theatre; but don't
get any other ideas into your head, and don't make absurd scenes of
jealousy. You know whom you have to do with; Marguerite isn't a saint.
She likes you, you are very fond of her; let the rest alone. You amaze
me when I see you so touchy; you have the most charming mistress in
Paris. She receives you in the greatest style, she is covered with
diamonds, she needn't cost you a penny, unless you like, and you are not
satisfied. My dear fellow, you ask too much!"

"You are right, but I can't help it; the idea that that man is her lover
hurts me horribly."

"In the first place," replied Prudence; "is he still her lover? He is a
man who is useful to her, nothing more. She has closed her doors to him
for two days; he came this morning--she could not but accept the box and
let him accompany her. He saw her home; he has gone in for a moment, he
is not staying, because you are waiting here. All that, it seems to me,
is quite natural. Besides, you don't mind the duke."

"Yes; but he is an old man, and I am sure that Marguerite is not his
mistress. Then, it is all very well to accept o