"I have done that already—five hundred francs."
"Well, although a young man may turn up his nose at five hundred francs, an old woman will appreciate a hundred Napoleons at their true value. Arpad must obey his mother's wishes, and what she promises for him he must do. I know the circumstances."
"You are a very sensible man. I should have begun with the mother, but it never occurred to me. Well, manage it all for me. If you only accomplish it I shall do whatever you ask me."
She was in such good-humor that the abbé saw he could ask her anything; still, it was with a slight hesitation that he said:
"I want you to give me an invitation for your charity concert for a friend of mine."
"You shall have ten," cried Eveline, joyfully.
"I only require one, but this invitation must be written with your own hand."
"Give me the name of your friend and I will write the card this moment."
As she spoke she seated herself at her writing-table, took an invitation-card from her drawer, and made all ready to begin.
"Now the name."