Presently the manager himself came, and said that Mademoiselle Victorine would be glad to see Monsieur Belward if he so wished.

Gaston left Jacques, and went.
Meyerbeer noticed the move, and determined to see the meeting if possible.

There was something in it, he was sure.

He would invent an excuse, and make his way behind.
Gaston and the manager were in the latter's rooms waiting for Victorine.
Presently a messenger came, saying that Monsieur Belward would find Mademoiselle in her dressing-room.

Thither Gaston went, accompanied by the manager, who, however, left him at the door, nodding good-naturedly to Victorine, and inwardly praying that here was no danger to his business, for Victorine was a source of great profit.