I went downstairs, and found the concierge watching for me, combing one of her cats the while.
"Well, monsieur, did you see my tenant and her little sick girl?"
"Yes, madame; I did my best to revive hope in Mignonne's heart. Her child is not well, still I think she isn't in danger. What does the doctor say?"
"Dame! the doctor shakes his head; he always says when he goes away: 'We shall see.'"
"He doesn't compromise himself. Meanwhile, take this money, Madame Potrelle, and see to it that the young woman and her child want nothing."
"Oh! how kind you are, monsieur! But all this money—— Why, how much have you given me? A hundred and fifty francs!"
"That's an advance on the work Mignonne is going to do for me."
"An advance! But she'll never take such a sum of money, monsieur!"
"That is why I give it to you. Pay for the medicines; there's no need of Mignonne's knowing anything about it."
"But, monsieur, suppose she should ask me how I got it?"