recover my past self, body and soul (for I have, perhaps, redeemed my
soul), and be pure as a lily for my lover, I would not hesitate a
moment! What sort of devotion has rewarded mine? You have housed and
fed me, just as you give a dog food and a kennel because he is a
protection to the house, and he may take kicks when we are out of
humor, and lick our hands as soon as we are pleased to call him. And
which of us two will have been the more generous?"

"Oh! dear child, do you not see that I am joking?" returned Castanier.
"I am going on a short journey; I shall not be away for very long. But
come with me to the Gymnase; I shall start just before midnight, after
I have had time to say good-bye to you."

"Poor pet! so you are really going, are you?" she said. She put her
arms round his neck, and drew down his head against her bodice.

"You are smothering me!" cried Castanier, with his face buried in
Aquilina's breast. That damsel turned to say in Jenny's ear, "Go to
Leon, and tell him not to come till one o'clock. If you do not find
him, and he comes here during the leave-taking, keep him in your
room.--Well," she went on, setting free Castanier, and giving a tweak
to the tip of his nose, "never mind, handsomest of seals that you are.
I will go to the theatre with you this evening? But all in good time;
let us have dinner! There is a nice little dinner for you--just what
you like."

"It is very hard to part from such a woman as you!" exclaimed
Castanier.

"Very well then, why do you go?" asked she.