"Killed you!"
"You can safely say that, as I am going to leave Paris for several months. I want to divert my thoughts; above all things, I want to forget that woman who has made a plaything of my affection. I shall start this very evening."
"All right; it's agreed that I have killed you, that you are dead. She will find out later that it isn't true; but what do I care? when she has once accorded me her favors, she can't take them back. Such things, when they're once given, aren't to be taken back. To be sure, although they give them away, they still have them; that is very agreeable for those who like to be generous."
The cab had reached Rue Neuve-Vivienne. Albert alighted in front of Madame Baldimer's house, and said to Tobie:
"Now, go at once and find the messenger, so that he won't carry the letter to my father."
"Yes, yes! I will go. But I say, Albert, you promised to lend me—you know—the money to redeem my olive."
"Oh, yes! Well, come to the house soon—this evening; I will give you the money."
"I won't fail. By the way, you will gratify me by not telling the other fellows that——"
Albert was not listening; he had hastened to the stairs, and he ran up without taking breath. When he reached Madame Baldimer's door, he rang. The maid opened the door.
"Your mistress—where is she? I must speak with her instantly. I absolutely must!"