"Well, then, be honest, Saint-Quentin."
They set out again; and the young girl continued:
"Be honest, Saint-Quentin. That's all I ask of you. You and the other boys of the caravan, I've adopted you because, like me, you're war-orphans, and for the last two years we have wandered together along the high roads, happy rather than miserable, getting our fun, and on the whole, eating when we're hungry. But we must come to an understanding. I only like what is clean and straight and as clear as a ray of sunlight. Are you like me? This is the third time you've stolen to give me pleasure. Is this the last time? If it is, I pardon it. If it isn't, it's 'good-bye.'"
She spoke very seriously, emphasizing each phrase by a toss of the head which made the two wings of her hair flap.
Overwhelmed, Saint-Quentin said imploringly:
"Don't you want to have anything more to do with me?"
"Yes. But swear you won't do it again."
"I swear I won't."
"Then we won't say anything more about it. I feel that you mean what you say. Take back these jewels. You can hide them in the big basket under the caravan. Next week you will send them back by post. It's the Château de Chagny, isn't it?"
"Yes, and I saw the lady's name on one of her band-boxes. She's the Comtesse de Chagny."