With Dufresne, Edouard was sure of finding distraction. So it was to his lodgings that he betook himself. Dufresne was alone, absorbed in deep thought. For the first time Murville began to use the familiar form of address; he felt more at his ease with him since he had ceased to be happy in his own family. He shared Dufresne's principles and his way of looking at things to the full, so that all ceremony was naturally banished between two friends so closely united. Edouard threw himself into a chair and looked at Dufresne, who waited for him to speak first.
"Here I am, my dear fellow; I expected to find you at my house."
"I went there last evening; but as you didn't return and I was tired of waiting, I came away."
"Faith! it is quite as well that you did. You would have waited in vain. I passed the night at Madame de Géran's. You understand me?"
"Yes, perfectly. I congratulate you; you could not be more fortunate. That woman adores you!"
"Oh! she is mad over me!--that's the word; she didn't want me to leave her this morning; I had difficulty in tearing myself from her arms."
"Be careful; Madame de Géran has intense passions, a fiery brain, an exalted imagination! She is capable of dogging your steps all the time."
"But suppose your wife should discover it?"
"Bah! she is such an indolent creature! Her way of loving doesn't resemble Madame de Géran's in the least."
"Speak; but no more of the formal mode of address between us, my dear Dufresne. Let us banish ceremony."
"If you take my advice, you will send your wife into the country, in order to be more free."
"Parbleu! that is an excellent idea of yours! In truth, she talks to me every day about the fields and meadows and green grass. I will send her to pasture, and I will remain in Paris."
"But you don't mention your game of cards with Chevalier Desfleurets; did you recoup your losses?"
"No; on the contrary, I played in the most extraordinary luck; I lost continually.--By the way, that reminds me that I owe him three thousand francs, and that I promised to give them to him this morning."
"Gambling debts are sacred; you must pay up."
"That is what I propose to do. I made an appointment with him at the Palais-Royal, at number 9; does he live there?"