"My nephew's, of course!"
"Your nephew is marrying? I congratulate you. But why did you not tell me?"
"I did mention it. That day I had a letter!"
"Ah! I seem to remember. I had not thought of it." Then briskly: "Well, that makes all for the best again. Ah! I was right not to scold monsieur le coiffeur too much, was I not?"
"You are very good to be so patient," said Madame Valière, with a sob in her voice.
Madame Dépine shot her a dignified glance. "We will discuss our affairs at home. Here it only remains to say whether you are satisfied with the fit."
Madame Valière patted the wig, as much in approbation as in adjustment. "But it fits me to a miracle!"
"Then we will pay our friend, and wish him le bon jour." She produced the fifty francs—two gold pieces, well sounding, for which she had exchanged her silver and copper, and two five-franc pieces. "And voilà," she added, putting down a franc for pourboire, "we are very content with the artist."
The "Princess" stared at her, with a new admiration.
"Merci bien," said the coiffeur, fervently, as he counted the cash. "Would that all customers' heads lent themselves so easily to artistic treatment!"