This was enough for me. I looked at her more closely and finding her to be a dainty morsel I said, as soon as the knight had gone—
“Will you give me my supper?”
“With pleasure; but I have been taken in so often that I shan’t expect you without an earnest.”
“How can I give you an earnest? I don’t understand.”
“You must be a new-comer here.”
“Just arrived.”
She laughed, called the knight, and said,—
“Be pleased to explain to this gentleman, who has just asked me for supper, the meaning of the word ‘earnest.’”
The good-natured knight explained, with a smile, that the lady, fearing lest my memory should prove defective, wanted me to pay for my supper in advance. I thanked him, and asked her if a louis would be enough; and on her replying in the affirmative, I gave her the Louis and asked for her address. The knight told me politely that he would take me there himself after the theatre, adding,—
“She’s the wantonest wench in all Marseilles.”