As they drew near the Pont des Arts Rodolphe said to his companion—
"I must leave you, not having sufficient to pay the toll."
"Nonsense," said the other, catching hold of Rodolphe and throwing two sous to the toll keeper.
"This is the right moment," thought the editor of "The Scarf of Iris," as they crossed the bridge. Arrived at the further end in front of the clock of the Institute, Rodolphe stopped short, pointed to the dial with a despairing gesture, and exclaimed:—
"Confound it all, a quarter to five! I am done for."
"What is the matter?" cried his astonished friend.
"The matter is," said Rodolphe, "that, thanks to your dragging me here in spite of myself, I have missed an appointment."
"An important one?"
"I should think so; money that I was to call for at five o'clock at—Batignolles. I shall never be able to get there. Hang it; what am I to do?"
"Why," said the phalansterian, "nothing is simpler; come home with me and I will lend you some."