" Chupin was beginning to feel uneasy. "Can M. Wilkie and
his friends have made their escape?" he wondered.
But at that very moment they made their appearance. They lingered
awhile on the pavement to chat, and Chupin had an opportunity of
observing the effect of their night's dissipation on their faces.
The brilliant sunlight made their eyes blink, and the cold sent
purple blotches to their bloated cheeks. As for the young women
with yellow hair, they appeared as they really were--hideous.
They entered the only cab that remained, the most dilapidated one
of all, and the driver of which had no little difficulty in
setting his horse in motion; whereupon the gentlemen went off on
foot.
Many persons would have been vexed and even humiliated by the
necessity of appearing at this hour on the boulevard in disorderly
attire, which plainly indicated that they had spent the night in
debauchery. But with the exception of the Viscount de Coralth,
who was evidently out of humor, the party seemed delighted with
themselves, as it was easy to see by the way they met the glances
of the passers-by. They considered themselves first-class form--
they were producing an effect--they were astonishing people. And
what more could they desire?
One thing is certain--they were irritating Chupin terribly. He
was following them on the opposite side of the boulevard, at some
little distance in the rear, for he was afraid of being
recognized.
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