Page:Once a Week Dec 1860 to June 61.pdf/124

. 26, 1861.] THE SILVER CORD.

the day following that of Adair’s interview with Henderson, at which he had extracted the scrap of paper from the reluctant hand of the lady’s maid, Ernest, who had taken up his quarters at the little inn at Versailles, received an unexpected visitor. This was M. Silvain, who presented himself with considerable sternness of manner. The symptom was not lost on the observant Adair, but he had his own reasons for being very little affected by any change of bearing in the usually polite and deferential perfumer.

“Ah, the dear Alphonse!” said Adair, in French, the language in which their subsequent conversation was conducted, and which Ernest Adair spoke with perfect facility.

M. Silvain bowed slightly, upon which Adair rose, mockingly returned an elaborate salute, and then, resuming his seat, proceeded to make a cigarette.

“I wish to be favoured with your attention, Monsieur,” said Silvain, coldly.

“You have it, my good Alphonse. Have you discovered a new hair-dye, or does some confiding victim to your last invention in that line threaten you with the tribunals?”

“I am not here to badiner, Monsieur.”

“Is that a grateful answer, when a friend anticipates your griefs, and prepares to solace them?”

“Before we separate you will need another preparation, M. Adair.”

“For my hair?”

“I forbid you to jest at my profession, Monsieur, or on any other subject at the present moment.”

“Diavolo!” said Adair, opening his eyes. “Let us hear more, and shall I order you some absinthe? It is very bad, but you are accustomed to deleterious liquids.”

“I repeat to you, M. Adair, that I forbid jesting.”

“Well, if you will neither be consoled nor treated, the tribune is to you. Speak.”

“I had thought you, M. Adair, with certain drawbacks, for which I know how to make allowances, a man of honour.”

“I swear to you that I have kept your secrets. Nobody has learned from me how you colour the violet pomade. I only refuse to use it.”

“You seek to enrage me, M. Adair, but you have already done so more effectually than by your coarse taunts.”