"Yes; and you positively gave the note to her mother."
"What the devil! how should I know it was her mother? That woman had rouge, flowers, laces, a corset which made her waist about as thick as my purse; I believed her to be the young lady. With their hoops, basquines and immense head-dresses, it will soon be impossible to distinguish the sexes."
"Another time I told you to feign a quarrel with one of your friends, so as to draw a crowd together in the street in order to stop the chair of a young woman to whom someone wished to speak; but after two or three blows had passed you ran away."
"Ah, my friend, but that does not detract from my bravery. I knew that the quarrel was only pretended; despite that, at the third blow I felt the blood mount to my face, and I ran away for fear of getting angry."
"This time I hope you will conduct yourself better."
"Speak, if you have need of my valor."
"No, thank God, I shan't have to put your valor to the proof; the matter is very simple and will not cost you a great effort of genius."
"So much the worse; I swear by Rolande that I feel disposed to brave every terror.—Take care, my friend; your razor almost touched my nose; you will end by taking off a piece, and that would destroy the charm of my physiognomy."
"Fear nothing, most valorous Chaudoreille; I will respect your face; it would be a pity to spoil it."
"Yes, most assuredly; it would cause tears to more than one great lady who deigns to look with favor upon your humble servant."