“Really,” said she to herself, “this is an agreeable adventure; it is very gallant of M. Mesmer. Oh, I am very tired, and he must have foreseen that. He is a great doctor.”
Saying these words, she mounted to the second story, and knocked at a door, which was quickly opened by an old woman.
“He who was to speak to you this evening.”
This colloquy took place in a kind of ante-chamber opening into her room, which was furnished with old curtains of yellow silk, chairs of green Utrecht velvet, not very new, and an old yellow sofa.
She opened the door, and, going in, saw a man seated on the sofa whom she did not know in the least, although we do, for it was the same man whom we have seen taking so much interest in her at Mesmer’s.
She had not time to question him, for he began immediately: “I know all that you are going to ask, and will tell you without asking. You are Mademoiselle Oliva, are you not?”
“A charming person, highly nervous, and much taken by the system of M. Mesmer.”
“All this, however, your beautiful eyes are saying plainly, does not explain what brings me here.”
“Will you not do me the favor to sit down, or I shall be obliged to get up also, and that is an uncomfortable way of talking.”
“Really, sir, you have very extraordinary manners.”
“Mademoiselle, I saw you just now at M. Mesmer’s, and found you to be all I could wish.”
“Do not alarm yourself, mademoiselle. I do not tell you that I found you charming—that would seem like a declaration of love, and I have no such intention. I know that you are accustomed to have yourself called beautiful, but I, who also think so, have other things to talk to you about.”
“Really, sir, the manner in which you speak to me——”
“Do not get angry before you have heard me. Is there any one that can overhear us?”
“Then, if no one can hear, we can converse at our ease. What do you say to a little partnership between us?”
“Do not misunderstand; I do not say ‘liaison’—I say partnership; I am not talking of love, but of business.”
“What kind of business?” said Oliva, with growing curiosity.
“Why, I do nothing, or, at least, as little as possible.”
“You have no occupation—so much the better. Do you like walking?”
“If I gave you twenty-five louis a month, would you refuse me?”