“That is a distance.”
“Yes; and only five sous for drink money. Hang your respectable women!”
“Oh! they are respectable, are they?”
“I’ll answer for that. The other lot are far more open-handed. I know both of them.”
And with these words and a knowing wink, he touched up his horse and drove away; and the portress, only half satisfied, went back to her lodge.
“Why that is the quarter where all the swells live,” murmured she. “I’ll tip the maid next time, and she’ll let out everything.”
After Paul’s departure, Andre could not remain quiet; for it appeared to him as if each second was a century. He had thrown open the door of his studio, and ran to the head of the stairs at every sound.
At last their footsteps really sounded on the steps. The sweetest music in the world is the rustle of the beloved one’s dress. Leaning over the banisters, he gazed fondly down. Soon she appeared, and in a short time had gained the open door of the studio.
“You see, Andre,” said she, extending her hand, “you see that I am true to my time.”
Pale, and trembling with emotion, Andre pressed the little hand to his lips.