“Do so.”
While the count was out of the room, I exchanged the thousand sequins for the fifteen thousand francs in bank notes which Greppi had given me.
I was just shutting up my cash-box when Zenobia came in with my lace cuffs. She asked me if I would like to buy a piece of lace. I replied in the affirmative, and she went out and brought it me.
I liked the lace, and bought it for eighteen sequins, and said,—
“This lace is yours, dearest Zenobia, if you will content me this moment.”
“I love you well, but I should be glad if you would wait till after my marriage.”
“No, dearest, now or never. I cannot wait. I shall die if you do not grant my prayer. Look! do you not see what a state I am in?”
“I see it plainly enough, but it can’t be done.”
“Why not? Are you afraid of your husband noticing the loss of your maidenhead?”
“Not I, and if he did I shouldn’t care. I promise you if he dared to reproach me, he should not have me at all.”