"Ah! I recognize you there! How kind of you!"
"Fifine, if you find fault with me, I shall be ill."
"That means that your supper was too much for you. What a charming creature—a lover like this, who goes off to enjoy himself with other people, and comes home with an attack of indigestion!"
"Don’t abandon me, Fifine, I implore you!"
"That’s it! I must nurse him now!—Well, stay there; keep quiet, and I’ll make you some tea."
"Oh, yes! make me some tea; I don’t want to drink anything else."
The young milliner hastened downstairs and bought all that she needed for Robineau, who had a severe attack of indigestion. But Fifine was active, quick-witted and skilful; in an instant she lighted a fire, heated some water and gave the sick man a cup of tea. Thanks to her attentions, he felt better after a little, and at each cup of tea that the girl gave him, he cried:
"Ah! I shall remember your kindness, Fifine; I won’t spend my money with anybody but you. I wish I had a crown to offer you, and even then I should not think that I had paid you for your devotion.—As for these big parties, I shan’t go to any more of them. Society offers no temptations to me;—a cottage and you—that is true happiness!"
IV
UNEXPECTED FORTUNE.—A RIDE.—THE EFFECTS OF WEALTH
A week had passed since the ball at Monsieur de Marcey’s. The baron had left Paris on the following day, to visit one of his estates some leagues from the capital. He was in the habit of absenting himself quite often, either to visit some friend, or to inspect his various estates, or simply in search of diversion; but his absences did not ordinarily last more than ten or twelve days. When Monsieur de Marcey set out upon one of these little trips, his son very rarely accompanied him. Alfred, on his side, followed all his own fancies; he went wherever he chose, stayed in the city or in the country, untrammelled by the baron in any respect.