Full resolution (JPEG) - On this page / på denna sida - Part II - III
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174 THE CONFESSION OF A FOOL
at once a well-known voice woke me from my reverie : a
man wished me a good afternoon.
He was an unsuccessful architect, a lost member of our
late Bohemia, which was now scattered to all the winds.
" You are still among the living, then ?" he said, sitting
down opposite me.
" I am . . . but what about you? "
"I’m so-so ... off to Paris to-morrow . . . some
fool left me ten thousand crowns."
"Lucky dog! "
" Unfortunately I have to devour it all by myself . .
."
" The misfortune is not so great, I know a set of teeth
ready to help you."
"Really? Would you care to come? ..."
"Only too glad to !
"
"Is it a bargain then ?
"
"It’s a bargain."
"To-morrow night, by the six o’clock train, to
Paris. . . ."
" And afterwards ? . . ."
" A bullet through the head !
"
"The devil! Where did you get this idea from? "
"From your face! Suicide is plainly written on it!
"
" Haruspex ! Well, pack up and come along! "
When I saw Marie that night I told her the good news.
She listened with every appearance of pleasure, wished
me a pleasant time, and repeated again and again that
it would do me a world of good, would refresh me
mentally. In short, she seemed well pleased, and over-
whelmed me with affection, which touched me deeply.
We spent the evening together, talking of the days
which had gone by. We made no plans, for we had lost
faith in the future. Then we parted. . . . For ever?
. . . The question was not mooted ; we silently agreed to
leave it to chance to reunite us or not.
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