He therefore noisily moved a chair, and coughed in that affected
style which means in every country: "Take care--I'm here!" But he
did not succeed in attracting attention. And yet the silence was
profound; he could distinctly hear the creaking of the baron's
boots, as he paced to and fro, and the sound of fingers nervously
beating a tattoo on the table. If he desired to avoid hearing the
confidential conversation, which would no doubt ensue between the
baron and his wife, there was but one course for him to pursue,
and that was to reveal his presence at once. He was about to do
so, when some one opened a door which must have led from the hall
into the dining-room. He listened attentively, but only heard a
few confused words, to which the baron replied: "Very well.
That's sufficient. I will see him in a moment."
Pascal breathed freely once more. "They have just given him my
card," he thought. "I can remain now; he will come here in a
moment."
The baron must really have started to leave the room, for his wife
exclaimed: "One word more: have you quite decided?"
"Oh, fully!"
"You are resolved to leave me exposed to the persecutions of my
dressmaker?"
"Van Klopen is too charming and polite to cause you the least
worry."
"You will brave the disgrace of a law-suit?"
"Nonsense! You know very well that he won't bring any action
against me--unfortunately.
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