Page:The Bohemians of the Latin Quarter.djvu/350

As Marcel had stated, Rodolphe seemed to be radically cured of his love for Mademoiselle Mimi, and three or four days after his separation, the poet re-appeared completely metamorphosed. He was attired with an elegance that must have rendered him unrecognizable by his very looking-glass. Nothing, indeed, about him seemed to justify the fear that he intended to commit suicide, as Mademoiselle Mimi had started the rumor, with all kinds of hypocritical condolences. Rodolphe was, in fact, quite calm; he listened with unmoved countenance to all the stories told him about the new and sumptuous existence led by his mistress—who took pleasure in keeping him informed on these points by a young girl who had remained her confidant, and who had occasion to see Rodolphe almost every evening.

“Mimi is very happy with Vicomte Paul,” the poet was told, “she seems thoroughly smitten with him, only one thing causes her any uneasiness, she is afraid least you should disturb her tranquillity by coming after her; which, by the way, would be dangerous for yon, for the vicomte worships his mistress, and is a good fencer.”

“Oh,” replied Rodolphe, “she can sleep in peace, I have no wish to go and cast vinegar over the sweetness of her honeymoon. As to her young lover he can leave his dagger at home like Gastibelza. I have no wish to attempt the life of a young gentleman who has still the happiness of being nursed by illusions.”

And as they did not fail to carry back to Mimi the way in which her ex-lover received all these details, she on her part did not forget to reply, shrugging her shoulders:

“That is all very well, you will see what will come of it in a day or two.”

However, Rodolphe was himself, and more than any one else, astonished at this sudden indifference, which, without passing through the usual transitions of sadness and mel-