"Oh! never you fear; I won't fail."
Colinet kissed Georgette and went away, weeping as bitterly as on the previous occasion.
XVI
TWELVE THOUSAND FRANCS
About five o'clock in the afternoon, Monsieur de Mardeille returned to Georgette's room, having seen her sitting at the window, alone.
"Well, so your young compatriot has gone?" he said, taking a seat by her side.
"Yes, monsieur, a long while ago; almost as soon as you went."
"That young man seems to be very fond of you."
"Yes; he's a true friend."
"But isn't he your lover?"
"I have told you, monsieur, that I have no lover; and I can add, without lying, that I have never had one."