"Yes, messieurs, within a week. I accept that proposition."
"If you bring your lady, we are to pay for the dinner; if you don't, you are to treat us."
"Agreed—within a week!—Oh! I hope to be on firm ground before that."
This agreement was made two days after the conversation which had resulted in Georgette's refusal of the purse containing five hundred francs.
When his friends had gone, the viscount said to himself:
"Now I must act. The little one refused gold—but gold doesn't take the eye like fine clothes. She had a magnificent outburst of pride. But this time I'll send her some things that she won't be able to resist."
The young man ordered his carriage and drove to the most fashionable shops. He bought a handsome shawl, silks and velvets for dresses, and even a pretty little bonnet which he considered well adapted to the face he desired to seduce. He returned home with his purchases, and said to Lépinette:
"Take all this to the girl upstairs, Mademoiselle Georgette. Give her my compliments, and tell her I would like to have the cigar cases I ordered from her; that I shall expect her to-morrow, during the morning, even if she has only one finished."
Lépinette took the handsome gifts in his arms with great care, and went to do his master's errand, while the latter sallied forth again to go to the races.
On returning home at night, the viscount's first thought was to ask his servant how his presents had been received. Lépinette replied, assuming a serious expression: