"Monsieur, I saw something to-day that I never saw before!"
"What did you see? You remind me of a sibyl."
"Well, monsieur, I saw a young girl, a mere working girl, who lives in an attic, refuse a cashmere shawl, velvets, silks—in a word, a magnificent outfit!"
"What! you saw that? Do you mean to say that Georgette——"
"Yes, monsieur; Mademoiselle Georgette refused your presents."
"Impossible!"
"It is true, monsieur."
"Then you must have gone about it awkwardly."
"No; monsieur is well aware that I am accustomed to such commissions. I spread the things out—the shawl on a table before that amazing creature's eyes; she let me go on at first, and watched me without saying a word; but finally she exclaimed: 'What am I to do with all this, monsieur?'—'Whatever you please, mademoiselle,' I replied; 'my master begs you to accept it all, and he presents his compliments and requests you to bring him the cigar cases to-morrow, even if they are not done!'"
"That's very clever of you! Go on."