“No, and I fear my buckles will be but poor. Do you remember the number against M. de Broglie? We sold one hundred before ten o’clock; therefore this cannot be as good.”
“Do you know the difference, Aldegonde? Now, instead of attacking an individual, I attack a body; and instead of a soldier, I attack a queen.”
“The queen! Oh, then there is no fear; the numbers will sell, and I shall have my buckles.”
“Some one rings,” said Reteau.
The old woman ran to the shop, and returned a minute after, triumphant.
“One thousand copies!” said she, “there is an order!”
“In whose name?” asked Reteau, quickly.
“I do not know.”
“But I want to know; run and ask.”
“Oh, there is plenty of time; they cannot count a thousand copies in a minute.”