We
will make Smith play, if he tires of our company, and the time will pass
pleasantly."
Brigitte consented with good grace and began playing for us; Smith
accompanied her on the violoncello. The materials for a bowl of punch
were brought and the flame of burning rum soon cheered us with its light.
The piano was abandoned for the table; then we had cards; everything
passed off as I wished and we succeeded in diverting ourselves to my
heart's content.
I had my eyes fixed on the clock and waited impatiently for the hands to
mark the hour of ten. I was tormented with anxiety, but allowed them to
see nothing. Finally, the hour arrived; I heard the postilion's whip as
the horses entered the court. Brigitte was seated near me; I took her by
the hand and asked her if she was ready to depart. She looked at me with
surprise, doubtless wondering if I was not joking. I told her that, at
dinner, she had appeared so anxious to go that I had felt justified in
sending for the horses and that I went out for that purpose when I left
the table.
"Are you serious?" asked Brigitte; "do you wish to set out to-night?"
"Why not," I replied, "since we have agreed that we ought to leave Paris?"
"What! now? At this very moment?"
"Certainly; have we not been ready for a month? You see there is nothing
to do but load our trunks on the calash; as we have decided to go, ought
we not go at once? I believe it is better to go now and put off nothing
until to-morrow.
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