“The ballet dancers! fie, fie! What about morals! We used those mountebanks just as we use the magnet to attract a lot of things; but afterward—retro, Satanas!”
“But I hope he still thinks of us!” said Nicole.
“The proof that he thinks of you, Dame Nicole, is that he has instructed me to hand you this; for he wants you to be happy and to have everything you need. And he’s very generous, is my pupil. Here, take it; there’s a thousand francs in it. That’s a very pretty sum.”
As he spoke, Monsieur Gérondif handed Nicole a bag of money. She took it, exclaiming:
“A thousand francs! Oh! that’s too much, a thousand francs. It’s a handsome present, but if I could have given him a kiss at the same time, I’d have enjoyed it much better.”
Jacquinot, who had just waked up, looked at the bag of money and muttered sleepily:
“A thousand francs! How many casks does that make at six sous the litre?”
“And didn’t he give you anything for me, monsieur?” inquired Louise. But in a moment she added hastily: “Oh! it’s not a present, it’s not money that I mean; but a kind word, a remembrance, a word to show me that he hasn’t forgotten me. Pray try to remember, monsieur.”
Monsieur Gérondif scratched his nose and replied:
“No, my sweet girl, the marquis gave me no message for you in particular, but he told me to wish you all the best of health.”