"Ah! here he comes, just in time!" cried the Vauthier; "that's your neighbor Monsieur Bernard.Monsieur Bernard!" she called out as soon as the old man was within hearing; "you won't be alone any longer;here is a gentleman who has hired the rooms opposite to yours."Monsieur Bernard turned his eyes on Godefroid with an apprehension it was easy to fathom; the look seemed to say: "The misfortune I feared has come to pass.""Monsieur," he said aloud, "do you intend to live here?""Yes, monsieur," said Godefroid, honestly."It is not a resort for the fortunate of this earth and it is the least expensive place I can find in the quarter.Madame Vauthier does not pretend to lodge millionnaires.Adieu, for the present, my good Madame Vauthier, and have everything ready for me at six o'clock this evening; I shall return punctually."Godefroid turned toward the square of the rue de l'Ouest, walking slowly, for the anxiety depicted on the face of the tall old man made him think that he would follow him and come to an explanation.And, in fact, after an instant's hesitation Monsieur Bernard turned round and retraced his steps so as to overtake Godefroid.
"The old villain! he'll prevent him from returning," thought Madame Vauthier; "that's the second time he has played me the same trick.
Patience! patience! five days hence he owes his rent, and if he doesn't pay sharp up I'll turn him out.Monsieur Barbet is a kind of a tiger one mustn't offend, and--But I would like to know what he's telling him.Felicite! Felicite, you great gawk! where are you?" cried the widow in her rasping, brutal voice,--she had been using her dulcet tones to Godefroid.
The servant-girl, stout, squint-eyed, and red-haired, ran out.
"Keep your eye on things, do you hear me? I shall be back in five minutes."And Madame Vauthier, formerly cook to the publisher Barbet, one of the hardest lenders of money by the week, slipped along behind her two tenants so as to be able to overtake Godefroid as soon as his conversation with Monsieur Bernard came to an end.