Chapter 49

Chapter XLIX:
The Labyrinth.

Saint-Aignan, who had only been seeking for information, had met with an
adventure. This was indeed a piece of good luck. Curious to learn why,
and particularly what about, this man and woman were conversing at such
an hour, and in such a singular position, Saint-Aignan made himself as
small as he possibly could, and approached almost under the rounds of the
ladder. And taking measures to make himself as comfortable as possible,
he leaned his back against a tree and listened, and heard the following
conversation. The woman was the first to speak.

"Really, Monsieur Manicamp," she said, in a voice which, notwithstanding
the reproaches she addressed to him, preserved a marked tone of coquetry,
"really your indiscretion is of a very dangerous character. We cannot
talk long in this manner without being observed."

"That is very probable," said the man, in the calmest and coolest of
tones.

"In that case, then, what would people say? Oh! if any one were to see
me, I declare I should die of very shame."

"Oh! that would be very silly; I do not believe you would."

"It might have been different if there had been anything between us; but
to injure myself gratuitously is really very foolish of me; so, adieu,
Monsieur Manicamp."

"So far so good; I know the man, and now let me see who the woman is,"
said Saint-Aignan, watching the rounds of the ladder, on which were
standing two pretty little feet covered with blue satin shoes.

"Nay, nay, for pity's sake, my dear Montalais," cried Manicamp, "deuce
take it, do not go away; I have a great many things to say to you, of the
greatest importance, still."

"Montalais," said Saint-Aignan to himself, "one of the three. Each of
the three gossips had her adventure, only I imagined the hero of this
one's adventure was Malicorne and not Manicamp."

At her companion's appeal, Montalais stopped in the middle of her
descent, and Saint-Aignan could observe the unfortunate Manicamp climb
from one branch of the chestnut-tree to another, either to improve his
situation or to overcome the fatigue consequent upon his inconvenient
position.

"Now, listen to me," said he; "you quite understand, I hope, that my
intentions are perfectly innocent?"

"Of course. But why did you write me a letter stimulating my gratitude
towards you? Why did you ask me for an interview at such an hour and in
such a place as this?"

"I stimulated your gratitude in reminding you that it was I who had been
the means of your becoming attached to Madame's household; because most
anxiously desirous of obtaining the interview you have been kind enough
to grant me, I employed the means which appeared to me most