Чума
Part II
Newcustomerssatdownathistable.Heorderedhisdinner.Byeightthirtyhehadfinished,withoutanysignofGonzalesorthetwoyoungmen.Outside,nightwasfallingrapidly.Awarmbreezefromtheseagentlyliftedthecurtainsoverthefrenchwindows.Bynineo’clockRambertnoticedthattheroomwasemptyandthatthewaitresswaslookingathiminastonishment.Hepaidandwentout.Therewasacafeopenacrossfromtherestaurant.Athalfpastnine,hewalkedbacktohishotel,wonderinghowonearthhecouldcontactGonzaleswhenhedidnothavetheman’saddress,andhisheartfailingattheideaofhavingtostartthewholebusinessoveragain.
Itwasatthismoment,inthenightfulloffleetingambulances,that,ashewouldlatertellDrRieux,henoticedthatinallthistimehehadtosomeextentforgottenhiswife,applyinghismindentirelytothesearchforabreachinthewallsthatseparatedthem.Butitwasalsoatthismoment,whenallroadswereoncemoreblocked,thathefoundheronceagainatthecentreofhisdesires,withsuchasuddenoutbreakofpainthathestartedtoruntowardshishotelinanattempttofleethisdreadfulburningwhich,nonetheless,hecarriedwithhimandwhichwaseatingawayathistemples.
However,veryearlythenextday,hewenttoseeRieux,toaskhimhowhecouldfindCottard.
"Theonlythingleftforme,"hesaid,"istofollowthesameleads."
"Cometomorrowevening,"saidRieux.
