"Have you many dozens of that sort?"
"Why, yes; I like to have a lot of linen; I was brought up to that habit. My mother had five or six large wardrobes filled with sheets—all fine Holland. When I go into partnership with my aunt, I shall deny myself nothing; I shall have only the finest damask on my table——"
"Have you an aunt in business?"
"Yes; she sells all sorts of goods on commission. It's a big establishment: twelve clerks and eight travelling men. She promised long ago to put me at the head of it; and if it hadn't been for some escapades of mine, she'd have done it before now."
Célestin began to whistle between his teeth, and Albert, who had not been listening to Tobie for several minutes, suddenly exclaimed:
"Isn't that Madame Baldimer in that little citadine?"
Albert's two companions thereupon looked into the street, and Célestin, after glancing at a carriage which was passing, replied:
"Yes, that is she."
"Was she alone?"
"I think not; I thought that I caught a glimpse of a moustache beside her face."