"With pleasure."
"My! what a pleasant surprise this will be for Aunt Duponceau! She's very fond of you, you fickle man!"
"She has no ingrate to deal with, in me."
They entered the omnibus, and Cherami agreed to hold young Aristoloche on his knees, in order to save his mamma six sous. She tried to provide for Narcisse in the servant's lap, but the conductor declared that he must pay, which seemed to cause Jacqueline the keenest satisfaction. At last they started, and in due time arrived at Saint-Mandé.
Madame Duponceau's latest purchase was at the entrance to the avenue. The house was even smaller than that at Passy; and there was no garden: it was replaced by a courtyard in which naught could be seen, in any direction, save rabbit-hutches; it was a veritable library of rabbits.
The aunt appeared, shaking her head as always. She uttered a cry of surprise when she saw Cherami, then offered him her cheek, saying:
"Kiss me; I forgive your disappearance at Passy."
The penalty seemed to Cherami a little severe, but he submitted to it; and while he was in training, Madame Capucine offered him her cheek.
"Do the same for me," she said; "I forgive you, too."
"The devil! this dinner comes pretty high!" said Beau Arthur to himself, after kissing both ladies.