“If kind heaven does not send him something more solid,” interposed Nicole, shaking her head, “the poor little dear is sure to live on air and die in the poorhouse.”
“Really, Nicole, this is too much to endure—you are never contented.”
“Endure? good gracious, who wants you to endure?” exclaimed the reduced gentlewoman, breaking down the dam to her long-restrained ire: “Thank God, I am not worried about myself or my little pet, and this very night I shall go forth and seek my fortune.”
She rose and took three steps towards the door, but he strode in between them and opened his arms to bar the way.
“You naughty creature, did I not tell you that my fortune——“
“Go on,” said Nicole.
“Is coming home to-night: though the coup were a mistake—which is impossible, it would only be five louis lost.”
“There are times when a few pieces of money are a fortune, sir. But you would not know that, who have squandered a pile of gold as high as this house.”
“That proves my merit: I made it at the cards, and if I made some once I shall make more another time: besides, there is a special providence for—smart rogues.”
“That is a fine thing to rely on!”