But the old woman bade them be silent, and added:
"Apparently you didn't look to see what we keep here, monsieur?"
"What! am I not in a shop of outfitters for both sexes?"
"No, monsieur; we sell only flowers and feathers."
"Oh! a thousand pardons, madame; but your shop has a sort of resemblance to the Magasin du Prophète. It isn't so brightly lighted, I agree; but these flowers, these wreaths—it's all so pretty! and, in Paris, outfitters' shops look like stage decorations.—Accept my apologies, madame."
"Two!" said Cherami, when he was in the street once more. "My pretty grisettes are not there either. Patience! we shall find them at last. Ah! I see another feather-shop; they fairly swarm in this street. Forward!"
In the third shop, Cherami asked for shirts, while passing in review the workgirls and apprentices, without finding those whom he sought. He succeeded, as before, in making the young women laugh and in obtaining a tart response from the mistress of the place.
In the fourth shop, after staring about for some time, Cherami exclaimed:
"I don't see any; this is very strange; I don't see any, and yet I was certain that I saw several in the window."
"Will monsieur kindly tell us what he desires?" said the forewoman.