Page:The Bohemians of the Latin Quarter.djvu/375

suffered and excite the pity of her who caused his sufferings. But now his grief was solitary, his jealousy had become madness, for formerly he could at any rate, when he suspected anything, hinder Mimi from going out, keep her beside him in his possession, and now he might meet her in the street on the arm of her new lover, and must turn aside to let her pass, happy no doubt, and bent upon pleasure.

This wretched life lasted three or four months. By degrees he recovered his calmmness. Marcel, who had undertaken a long journey to drive Musette out of his mind, returned to Paris, and again came to live with Rodolphe. They consoled one another.

One Sunday, crossing the Luxembourg Gardens, Rodolphe met Mimi resplendently dressed. She was going to a public ball. She nodded to him, to which he responded by a bow. This meeting gave him a great shock, but his emotion was less painful than usual. He walked about for a little while in the gardens, and then returned home. When Marcel came in that evening he found him at work.

“What!” said Marcel, leaning over his shoulder. “You are working—verses?”

“Yes,” replied Rodolphe cheerfully; “I believe that the machine will still work. During the last four hours I have once more found the go of bygone time, I have seen Mimi.”

“Ah!” said Marcel uneasily. “On what terms are you?”

“Do not be afraid,” said Rodolphe, “we only bowed to one another. It went no further than that.”

“Really and truly?” asked Marcel.

“Really and truly. It is all over between us, I feel it; but if I can get to work again I forgive her.”

“If it is so completely finished,” said Marcel, who had