But Monsieur Cherami, being rid of the dog, turned about and spied the stout woman and the two small boys, who were still awaiting an opportunity to go to Belleville. Thereupon he exclaimed anew, saluting profusely, and shouting so loud that he attracted the attention of everybody within hearing:
"God bless me! do I see Madame Capucine? What a fortunate meeting! I didn't expect such good fortune. What! you have been here all the time, madame, and I did not see you!"
"Yes, Monsieur Cherami; here I am, and here I've been a long, long time, alas! I'm getting pretty impatient, I tell you; think of having to wait an hour for seats in an omnibus!"
"Don't speak of it; it's intolerable! That's the reason I always walk, myself; I can't make up my mind to wait. Ah! there are the two dear boys, Narcisse and Aristoloche; they improve every day--they'll be superb men--they're the living portraits of their mother!"
A smile, to which she strove to give an expression of modesty, played about Madame Capucine's lips, as she replied affectedly:
"Do you think so? No, I can't see it; Capucine isn't a handsome man; an insignificant face; while his wife---- Ah! the rascal showed taste in his choice, on my word! But I don't understand how you ever made up your mind to marry him; if I were a woman, I'd never have done it; it's Venus and Vulcan over again."
"Oh! you always exaggerate, Monsieur Cherami; to hear you talk, one would think my husband was hunchbacked."
"Sh! I know what I mean. Ah! if Capucine wasn't a friend of mine!"
"Adelaide! Adelaide! I think that's a green 'bus coming; come here, quick!"
The servant left the office, with her basket. Monsieur Cherami greeted her with an affable bow, which she barely acknowledged, muttering:
"Bah! there goes the rest of our money! I wonder if that man's coming to dine with us? If he is, there'll never be enough to eat."
"Are you going into the country, Madame Capucine?"
"Yes, monsieur; we're going to Romainville."
"Have you bought a summer house, a villa, in that neighborhood?"
"No, monsieur; my Aunt Duponceau has a little place there, and we're going to pass Sunday with her."
"She made me promise to come Saturday with the children. Capucine will join us to-morrow."