The curtain rose again; M.de Bellegarde returned, and Newman went back to his seat.
He observed that Valentin de Bellegarde had taken his place in the baignoire of Mademoiselle Nioche, behind this young lady and her companion, where he was visible only if one carefully looked for him.
In the next act Newman met him in the lobby and asked him if he had reflected upon possible emigration.

"If you really meant to meditate," he said, "you might have chosen a better place for it." "Oh, the place was not bad," said Valentin.

"I was not thinking of that girl.

I listened to the music, and, without thinking of the play or looking at the stage, I turned over your proposal.

At first it seemed quite fantastic.