CHAPTER XIII.

by Alexandre Dumas

　　WE found many of my friends assembled--habitués of the opera lobbiesand of the greenroom, and, as I had expected, a few unmasked"bouquets" anxious for the time to come when the water-bottles wouldbe used--supper time!I introduced Louis to several friends, and it is needless to say thathe was politely received and welcomed.Ten minutes after our arrival D---- entered, accompanied by hisbouquet of myosotis, who unmasked herself with a freedom and precisionwhich argued a long acquaintance with these sort of parties.I introduced Louis to D----."Now," said B----, "if all the presentations have been made, I suggestthat we present ourselves at table.""All the presentations are made, but all the guests have not arrived,"replied D----."Who is expected then?""Chateau Renaud is still wanting to complete the party.""Ah, just so. By-the-by, was there not some bet?""Yes. We laid a wager of a supper for twelve, that he would not bringa certain lady here to-night.""And who is the lady," asked the bouquet of myosotis, "who is so veryshy as to be made the subject of a bet?"I looked at Louis de Franchi. He was outwardly composed, but pale as acorpse."Faith, I don't know that there is any great harm in telling you hername, especially as none of you know her I think. She is Madame----"Louis placed his hand upon D----'s arm."Monsieur," he said; "will you grant me a favour? As a newacquaintance I venture to ask it!""What is it, monsieur?""Do not name the lady who is expected with M. de Chateau Renaud, youknow she is a married woman!""Oh yes, but her husband is at Smyrna, in the East Indies, in Mexico,or some such place. When a husband lives so far away it is nearly thesame as having no husband at all.""Her husband will return in a few days. I know him. He is a gallantfellow. I would wish, if possible, to spare him the chagrin oflearning on his return that his wife had made one at thissupper-party.""Excuse me, monsieur," said D----, "I was not aware that you areacquainted with the lady, and I did not think she was married. Butsince you know her and her husband----""I do know them.""Then we must exercise greater discretion. Ladies and gentlemen,whether Chateau Renaud comes or not--whether he wins or loses his bet,I must beg of you all to keep this adventure secret."We all promised, not because our moral senses were offended, butbecause we were hungry and wished to begin our supper."Thank you, monsieur," said Louis to D----, holding out his hand tohim. "I assure you you are acting like a thorough gentleman in thismatter."We then passed into the supper-room, and each one took his allottedplace. Two chairs were vacant, those reserved for Chateau Renaud andhis expected companion.The servant was about to remove them."No," said the master, "let them remain; Chateau Renaud has got untilfour o'clock to decide his wager. At four o'clock if he is not here hewill have lost."I could not keep my eyes from Louis de Franchi; I saw him watching thetimepiece anxiously. It was then 3.40 A.M."Is that clock right?" asked Louis."That is not my concern," said D----, laughing. "I set it by ChateauRenaud's watch, so that there may be no mistake.""Well, gentlemen," said the bouquet of myosotis, "it seems we cannottalk of anything but Chateau Renaud and his unknown fair one. We aregetting horribly 'slow,' I think.""You are quite right, my dear," replied V----. "There are so manywomen of whom we can speak, and who are only waiting to be spokento----""Let us drink their health," cried D----.So we did, and then the champagne went round briskly; every guest hada bottle at his or her elbow.I noticed that Louis scarcely tasted his wine; "Drink, man!" Iwhispered: "don't you see that she will not come?""It still wants a quarter to four," said he; "at four o'clock, eventhough I shall be late in commencing, I promise you I will overtakesome of you.""Oh, very well!" I replied.While we had been exchanging these few words in a low tone, theconversation had become general around the table. Occasionally D----and Louis glanced at the clock, which ticked regularly on without anycare for the impatience of the two men who were so intent upon itsmovements.At five minutes to four I looked at Louis."To your health," I said.He took his glass, smiled, and raised it to his lips. He had drunkabout half its contents when a ring was heard at the front door.I did not think it possible that Louis could become any paler than hewas, but I saw my mistake then."'Tis he," he muttered."Yes, but perhaps he may have come alone," I replied."We shall see in a moment."The sound of the bell had attracted everybody's attention, and themost profound silence suddenly succeeded the buzz of conversationwhich had till then prevailed.Then the sound of talking was heard in the anteroom.D---- rose and opened the door."I can recognize her voice," said Louis, as he grasped my arm with avice-like grip."We shall see! wait! be a man!" I answered. "It must be evident thatif she has thus come to supper with a man, of her own will, to thehouse of a stranger, she is not worthy your sympathy.""I beg, madam, that you will enter," said D----'s voice in the outerroom. "We are all friends here I assure you.""Yes, come in, my dear Emily," said M. de Chateau Renaud, "you neednot take off your mask if you do not wish to do so.""The wretch," muttered Louis.At that moment a lady entered, dragged in rather than assisted byD----, who fancied he was doing the honours, and by Chateau Renaud."Three minutes to four," said Chateau Renaud to D----, in a low voice."Quite right, my dear fellow, you have won.""Not yet, monsieur," said the young unknown addressing Chateau Renaud,and drawing herself up to her full height. "I can now understand yourpersistence. You laid a wager that I would sup here. Is that so?"Chateau Renaud was silent. Then addressing D----, she continued."Since this man cannot answer, will you, monsieur, reply. Did not M.de Chateau Renaud wager that he would bring me here to supperto-night?""I will not hide from you, madame, that he flattered us with thathope," replied D----."Well, then, M. de Chateau Renaud has lost, for I was quite unaware hewas bringing me here. I believed we were to sup at the house of afriend of my own. So it appears to me that M. de Chateau Renaud hasnot won his wager.""But now you are here, my dear Emily, you may as well remain; won'tyou? See, we have a good company and some pleasant young ladies too!""Now that I am here," replied the unknown, "I will thank the gentlemanwho appears to be the master of the house for the courtesy with whichhe has treated me. But as, unfortunately, I cannot accept his politeinvitation I will beg M. Louis de Franchi to see me home."Louis with a bound placed himself between the speaker and ChateauRenaud."I beg to observe, madam," said the latter between his shut teeth,"that I brought you hither and consequently I am the proper person toconduct you home.""Gentlemen," said the unknown, "you are five, I put myself into yourhonourable care. I trust you will defend me from the violence of M. deChateau Renaud!"Chateau Renaud made a movement. We all rose at once."Very good, madame," he said. "You are at liberty. I know with whom Ihave to reckon.""If you refer to me, sir," replied Louis de Franchi with an air ofhauteur impossible to describe, "you will find me all day to-morrow atthe Rue du Helder, No. 7.""Very well, monsieur. Perhaps I shall not have the pleasure to callupon you myself, but I hope that two friends of mine may be ascordially received in my place.""That was all that was necessary," said Louis, shrugging his shouldersdisdainfully. "A challenge before a lady! Come, madame," he continued,offering his arm. "Believe me, I thank you from the bottom of my heartfor the honour you do me."And then they left the room, amidst the most profound silence."Well, gentlemen, so it seems I have lost," said Chateau Renaud, whenthe door closed. "That's all settled! To-morrow evening all of you supwith me at the Frères Provençaux."