“Where have you been hiding all this time?” said I, “I have been looking for you everywhere.”
“Love has been keeping me a prisoner,” said he, “I have got some money for you.”
“For me? From what quarter?”
“On behalf of the Ansperghers. Give me a receipt and the necessary declaration, for I am going to restore them myself to the poor Charpillon, who has been weeping for the last fortnight.”
“I daresay she has, I have seen her weep myself; but I like the way in which she has chosen the being who delivered me from her chains as a protector. Does she know that I owe my life to you?”
“She only knew that I was with you at Ranelagh when you saw her dancing instead of dying, but I have told her the whole story since.”
“No doubt she wants you to plead with me in her favour.”
“By no means. She has just been telling me that you are a monster of ingratitude, for she loved you and gave you several proofs of her affection, but now she hates you.”
“Thank Heaven for that! The wretched woman! It’s curious she should have selected you as her lover by way of taking vengeance on me, but take care! she will punish you.”
“It may be so, but at all events it’s a pleasant kind of punishment.”