"A truce to the stars, sweetheart," said Lorin; "they have arrested Maurice this morning, and, in all human probability, this evening I shall share the same fate."
"Maurice arrested!"
"By Heaven, he is! In these times nothing is more common than the occurrence of such troubles; but they excite little attention because they come in troops, that is all. Almost all important matters originate in trifles. Never neglect trifles. Who was that flower-girl we met this morning, sweetheart?"
Arthémise started.
"What flower-girl?"
"The one who so recklessly cast her flowers into the Seine."
"Ah, my goodness!" said Arthémise; "is this circumstance, then, so serious that you return to question me so urgently about it?"
"So serious, sweetheart, that I entreat you to answer my question without loss of time."
"Dear Lorin, I cannot do so."
"Goddess, with you nothing is impossible."