ce.
When the delighted Chatelet was convinced that the whole town was agog,
he went off to Mme. de Bargeton's, where, alas! there was but one game
of whist that night, and diplomatically asked Nais for a little talk
in the boudoir. They sat down on the sofa, and Chatelet began in an
undertone--

"You know what Angouleme is talking about, of course?"

"No."

"Very well, I am too much your friend to leave you in ignorance. I am
bound to put you in a position to silence slanders, invented, no doubt,
by Amelie, who has the overweening audacity to regard herself as
your rival. I came to call on you this morning with that monkey of a
Stanislas; he was a few paces ahead of me, and he came so far" (pointing
to the door of the boudoir); "he says that he _saw_ you and M. de
Rubempre in such a position that he could not enter; he turned round
upon me, quite bewildered as I was, and hurried me away before I had
time to think; we were out in Beaulieu before he told me why he had
beaten a retreat. If I had known, I would not have stirred out of the
house till I had cleared up the matter and exonerated you, but it would
have proved nothing to go back again then.

"Now, whether Stanislas' eyes deceived him, or whether he is right, _he
must have made a mistake_. Dear Nais, do not let that dolt trifle with
your life, your honor, your future; stop his mouth at once. You know my
position here. I have need of all these people, but still I am entirely
yours. Dispose of a life that belongs to you. You have rejected my
prayers, but my heart is always yours; I am ready to prove my love
for you at any time and in any way. Yes, I will watch over you like a
faithful servant, for no reward, but simply for the sake of the pleasure
that it is to me to do anything for you, even if you do not know of it.
This morning I have said everywhere that I was at the door of the salon,
and had seen nothing. If you are asked to give the name of the person
who told you about this gossip, pray make use of me. I should be very
proud to be your acknowledged champion; but, between ourselves, M. de
Bargeton is the proper person to ask Stanislas for an explanation....
Suppose that young Rubempre had behaved foolishly, a woman's character
ought not to be at the mercy of the first hare-brained boy who flings
himself at her feet. That is what I have been saying."

Nais bowed in acknowledgment, and looked thoughtful. She was weary to
disgust of provincial life. Chatel