CROSSING PARIS
573
Not only was the portrait a good likeness, but he believed he had
expressed in this simple sketch Martin's essential personality, which
he had up to that time sensed without being able to define it. Looking
at his drawing, it seemed to him that he discovered what integrity
in a man really is:
.a
feeling of fidelity to himself, of respect for his
own image as the mirror of his social life shows it to him. Martin
lived by this fidelity, thought Grandgil, and so do a fair average of
men and women. As to himself, while he considered himself an honest
man, he felt certain that he obeyed a purer imperative which had
no need of this mirror, and made use of it only at long intervals,
as a simple control. For a jest, he completed his sketch by drawing
the big silver horseshoe which was thrust through his model's neck–
tie, and at the bottom of the page he wrote the date of the day and
the year.
As
he was closing his sketchbook, the telephone bell sounded.
Martin woke up, threw
.a
surprised glance around him, and settled
his hat more firmly . on his head. The instrument was three paces
from his armchair, on a little table.
"Louise?" Grandgil was saying. "Good evening. I wasn't there
... took the evening off. I disguised myself as a gangster ... yes,
really, don't laugh. I even brought back a bit of plunder. . . . I
acted the part of a reprobate, an anarchist, an out-and-out tough....
Very amusing, I assure you. Not at all, on the contrary, it's very easy,
too easy. It's the softies who act the toughs. I have always thought
that. What? No, let's not exaggerate. Just an amateur at Satanism.
I must tell you that I played the role of a tempting demon, too ...
not exactly ... besides I wound up by wallowing in emotion."
Without putting down the receiver, Grandgil turned his head.
Martin, standing behind him, looked at him fixedly and uttered the
words:
"Dirty dog."
"I'll tell you about it tomorrow," Grandgil went on. "I hope
it will amuse you as much as it did me. Although, in fact, you may
find it depressing. Please ... just a minute.... "
Martin had seized the instrument and was trying to take it away
from him.
"I'm going to say a few words to your hussy."
Grandgil gave the receiver to him, taking care to hold down
