For some moments I preserved that silence which shows that we are not in a humor for talking; but friends sent by ingenious Chance understand nothing but the plainest language, so my friend continued his queries: 

“What would you call a lady’s horse?”

“I would call it a horse,” said I, with indifference.

“Now, Roger, I believe you are right; D’Allinville insists that a lady’s horse is a palfrey.”

“In the language of chivalry he is right.”

“Then I have lost my bet?”

“Yes.”

“My dear Roger, this question has been worrying me for two days.”

“You are very fortunate to have nothing worse than a term of chivalry to annoy you.  I would give all the gold in that broker’s office if my troubles were as light as yours.”

“I am afraid you are unhappy, ... you have been looking sad for some time, Roger, ... come with me to Brussels....  We can make some splendid speculations there.  Now-a-days if the aristocracy don’t turn their attention to business once in a while, they will be completely swept out by the moneyed scum of the period.  Let us make a venture:  I hear of twenty acres of land for sale, bordering on the Northern Railroad—­there is a clear gain of a hundred thousand francs as soon as the road is finished; I offer you half—­it is not a very risky game, nothing more than playing lansquenet on a railroad!”

No signs of Irene.  My impatience was so evident that this time, my obtuse friend saw it, and, shaking me by the hand, said: 

“Good bye, my dear Roger, why in the world did you not tell me I was de trop? Now that I see there is a fair lady in the case I will relieve you of my presence.  Adieu! adieu!”

He was gone, and I breathed again.

By this time my situation had become critical.  This Chinese door, like that of Acheron, refused to surrender its prey.  Time was passing.  I had successively adopted every attitude of feverish expectation; I had exhausted every pose of a museum of statues, and saw that my suspicious blockade of the pavement alarmed the store-keepers.  The broker adjoining the Chinese store seemed to be putting himself on the defensive, and meditating an article for the Gazette des Tribunaux.

I now regretted the departure of my speculating friend; his presence would at least have given my conduct an air of respectability,—­would have legalized, so to speak, my odd behavior.  This time chance left me to my own devices.

I had held my position for two hours, and now, as a regard for public opinion compelled me to retire, and I had no idea of doing so until I had achieved a victory, I determined to make an attack upon the citadel containing my queen of love and beauty.  Irene had not left the store, for she certainly had no way of escaping except by the door which was right in front of my eyes—­she must be all this time selecting some trifle that a man could purchase in five minutes,—­it takes a woman an eternity to buy anything, no matter how small it may be!  My situation had become intolerable—­I could stand it no longer; so arming myself with superhuman courage, I bravely opened the shop-door and entered as if it were the breach of a besieged city.