BABILLOT (La Mascarade humaine).

That evening, contrary to his usual custom, the Cure of Althausen had coffee served after dinner, and told his servant to lay two cups.

—­You have asked somebody then? she enquired.

—­Yes, replied Marcel, I ask you, Veronica.

The woman smiled.

She went and assured herself that the door below was shut and that the shutters were quite closed, put together a bundle of wood which she placed partly on the hearth, and without further invitation, sat down facing her master.

—­We are at home, and inquisitive people will not trouble us.

Marcel was offended at thus being placed on a footing of equality with his servant.  Nevertheless he did not allow it to be seen.  “It is my fault,” he thought, and he answered quietly: 

—­We have no reason to dread inquisitive persons, we are not going to do anything wrong.

—­Ah, Jesus, no.  But, you know, if they saw your servant sitting at your table, they would not wait to look for the why and wherefore, they would begin to chatter.

—­It is true.

—­And one likes to be at home when one has anything to say, is it not so,
Monsieur le Cure?

Marcel bent his head: 

—­You are a girl of sense, and that is why I can behave to you as one cannot usually with a ... common housekeeper.  I am sure that you understand me.  Then, after a moment’s hesitation: 

—­Twice already I have flown into a passion with you, Veronica; it is a serious fault, and I hope you will consent to forgive it.

—­Do not speak of that, Monsieur le Cure, I deserved everything that you have said to me.  It is for me to ask your pardon for not behaving properly towards you.

—­I acknowledge all that you do in my interest:  I know how to appreciate all your good qualities, so I pardon you freely.

—­Monsieur le Cure is too good.

—­No, I am not too good.  For if I were so, I should have behaved differently towards you.  But you know, there is always a little germ of ingratitude at the bottom of a man’s heart.  After all, I have considered, and I believe that with a little good will on one side and on the other, we can come to an understanding.

—­Yes, I am easy to accommodate.

—­Let us save appearances, that is essential.

—­You are talking to me like Monsieur Fortin.  That suits me.  No one could ever reproach me for setting a bad example.

—­I know it, Veronica; your behaviour is full of decency and dignity:  it is well for the outside world, and as Monsieur Fortin used to say to you, we must wash our dirty linen at home.

—­Poor Monsieur Fortin.

—­That is what we will do henceforth.  Come, Veronica.  I have made all my disclosures to you, or very nearly.  I have confessed to you my errors, and you know some of my faults as well as I do.  Will you not make your little confession to me in your turn?  You have finished your coffee?  Take a little brandy?  There! now sit close to me.