"I will do as you first suggested, mademoiselle; I will hand this plume to Dame Ragonde; I think that that will be the better way; and as for her claws, I will brave them without a tremor."
"And if she should ask who sent you?"
"No one! I am acting on my own account. I picked up the plume, and I bring it back; and that will be no falsehood."
"Very good; discretion so far as I am concerned, monsieur, is what I especially enjoin upon you. You will carry this plume to the bath keeper's to-day?"
"It shall be handed to Dame Ragonde to-day."
"If my errand is left undone, I warn you that I shall know it!"
"It shall be done; I swear it by the Basoche!"
"Au revoir, Monsieur Bahuchet!"
"Mademoiselle, I have the honor to present my respectful homage.—Bonsoir, pretty brunette! Oh! what eyes you make at me, my dear!—Come, come! be calm! I won't speak ill of robbers again!"
"Well!" said Valentine to Miretta, who sat as if lost in thought after the solicitor's clerk had gone. "You say nothing, Miretta; is it because you do not approve of what I have done?"