Thereupon her opposite neighbor had an opportunity to watch her walk about her room; for one does not find on the instant all that one requires to water flowers, especially when one has no watering pot. So he saw Mademoiselle Georgette in her jacket and short petticoat; he could even see her foot and the lower part of her leg; for the girl—still by chance—went several times to the rear of the room, walking back and forth, after she had watered her flowers; and Monsieur de Mardeille, who was about to turn away from the window, remained there, and did not stir.
"Ah! the devil!" he was muttering now; "ah! that's very pretty, that is! Fichtre! what a figure! what hips! what a foot! what a leg! This is infinitely superior to all the rest. What a brisk walk! She reminds me of Béranger's ballad."
And he began to hum:
| "'Ma Frétillon! ma Frétillon! |
| Cette fille |
| Qui frétille, |
| N'a pourtant qu'un cotillon!'" |
Amazed to hear his master sing, Frontin said, with a downcast expression:
"So, monsieur doesn't think that the little one opposite deserves all I said in her praise?"
"Hush! hush! hold your tongue, Frontin!" replied Monsieur de Mardeille, without leaving the window or taking his eyes off his neighbor; "I said that, but I hadn't then seen her graceful, willowy form, or the little black skirt that outlines her voluptuous hips so perfectly. It is adorable! Indeed, it is well deserving of one's attention! And her foot! she has a charming foot! and the leg promises——"
"Ah! I am very glad that monsieur sees that I was right, and——"
"Hush, Frontin, hush! She's looking in this direction."
Georgette had, in fact, raised her head at that moment, and her eyes had met her neighbor's of the first floor. Monsieur de Mardeille eagerly seized the opportunity to bestow a gracious salutation upon the new tenant, who replied with a courtesy and a very amiable smile.