"They are young men, are they not?"
"Yes, but you need not be alarmed—they are only a little gay."
A hundred francs was a good deal of money. She could buy an easy chair for the poor invalid, and give her a little treat.
"Well?" asked Aubé, who would have been glad had she refused.
"I accept," she answered, "but you must not go far away. You must be near in case I should call."
"All right. No harm shall come to you in my house, let me tell you."
The girl went toward the stairs.
"What does that mean?" said one of the men at the table at the end of the room. "The linnet seems to be going of her own free will!"
"Silence!" said Robeccal, passing the table. "Watch and be ready!"
Meanwhile the people in the restaurant began to grumble at Francine's departure. She looked back from the stairs.