"And why?" demanded Lorin.
"Because the gendarmes have arrived; and while they were forcing an entrance, I gained the next house by the roof, and hastened to prevent your return."
Arthémise uttered a heart-rending cry, for she truly loved Lorin.
"Arthémise," said Lorin, "do you really place the life of a flower-girl in comparison with that of Maurice and that of your lover? If so, I declare to you that I no longer regard you as the Goddess Reason, but shall proclaim you the Goddess Folly."
"Poor Héloïse!" exclaimed the ex-dancer of the Opera; "if I betray you, it is not my fault."
"Well done, my darling!" said Lorin, presenting a paper to Arthémise, "you have already favored me with her Christian name, oblige me now with her surname and address."
"Oh, write it! never, never!" cried Arthémise; "I would rather tell you."
"Tell me, then, and rest assured I shall not forget."
And Arthémise, in an agitated voice, gave the name and address of the pretended flower-girl to Lorin.