"Yes; not unfrequently the scholar becomes the mistress,—the mistress of the master. Understand?"
"The mistress of the master? Oh, yes, very good! I understand perfectly. That is good; very good, indeed! Ha, ha, ha!"
Then, suddenly becoming serious, he added:
"But now I think of it, if that Hercule de Tonnerriliuskoff undertakes—"
"Mlle. Bouffard's virtue must be above suspicion, my dear sir; still, it might be safer—"
"The brigand shall never set foot in my house again. Thanks for your counsel, M. le marquis."
Then, returning to Herminie, M. Bouffard added:
"So we will begin day after to-morrow at two o'clock; that is Cornelia's hour."
"At two o'clock, then. I will be punctual, I promise you."
"And at ten francs a week?"