Madame de Grangeville had not been deceived by the little fable invented by Monsieur de Merval in order to oblige her; she had said to herself:
“That was very nice on his part; it was a very delicate proceeding; but after all, he is rich; he guessed that I needed money, and he has lent me some; it’s a simple matter.—Lizida! Lizida!”
The lady’s maid hurried into the room, and was stupefied when her mistress handed her a bank note.
“Here, my dear, go out and change this!”
“O madame! five hundred francs! How lovely!”
“Who is that wretched creature outside?”
“Your dressmaker’s husband; he demands the total of the bill, one hundred and twenty-three francs!”
“Take him with you, and pay him.”
“The whole amount?”
“There’s no help for it; his wife works beautifully, and I always need her. Go, and bring back a coupé when you come; I will go out to buy a hat.”