"Hush, here is her maid."
A woman rather advanced in life, wearing a white apron of doubtful purity, entered the shop. "What can I do for you, Madame Charles?"
"Daddy Micou, your nephew is not here?"
"He has gone on an errand to the post-office; he will soon return."
"M. Badinot wishes he would take this letter to its address; there is no answer, but it is very urgent."
"In a quarter of an hour it shall be on the way."
"Let him hurry."
"Be easy." The maid retired.
"That's the servant of one of your lodgers, Micou?"
"Madame Saint Ildefonso's. But M. Badinot is her uncle; he came yesterday from the country, "answered Micou. "But see, now, what fine acquaintances they have! I told you they were people of style; he writes to a viscount."