"So be it," said Marguerite, who was also curious to hear it. "But remember to be prudent, Ursule, that nobody may know."
"Oh, I'll answer to you for my silence, mademoiselle."
"That's well. Wait, here is your talisman. Take care not to lose it. Good heavens! how happy I should be if I had a similar one."
Urbain received the little scrap of cloth, dropping a curtsey and putting it in his pocket, while Marguerite took a lamp to lead him.
"You are going alone," said Blanche, "perhaps a long distance."
"To the Porte Saint-Antoine."
"O heavens! and are you not afraid to be in the street so late?"
"Has she not her talisman?" said Marguerite.
"Ah, that is true; I shan't think about it any more. Good-by, Ursule, you'll come back tomorrow, will you not?"
The lovely child held out her hand to Urbain, who was about to carry it to his lips, but remembering that he was a woman he was obliged to content himself with pressing it tenderly and followed Marguerite, after glancing sweetly at Blanche. The old woman reconducted him with the same precaution she had taken in introducing him, and closed the street door softly, saying to him,—