"Ah! I see. Bravo!—call the proprietor, and bid him send the singer to us."
"Gentlemen! gentlemen!" said Fernando, "be careful what you do. No imprudences! Remember that you are not in the Palais Royal. The people down stairs won't stand any nonsense!"
Frederic rang the bell furiously, and the waiter was sent for the proprietor. Aubé presently appeared. He was very obsequious in his manner, for the party had ordered bottle after bottle of champagne.
"Who is that girl singing to the people in the café?" asked Frederic, abruptly.
"She is called the Marquise, sir—a pretty little creature, and as good as she is pretty!"
"I dare say! Now send her up here, and tell the waiter to bring up three more bottles of your best champagne."
Aubé stood still, twisting his cap in his hands.
"Well?" said Frederic, "why don't you go?"
"I wish to say, sir, that the girl is very respectable."
"We don't doubt it. We will pay her for her song—three louis, five—is that enough?"