"There, you see, I'm done for!"

"The count's steward could not say enough in your praise."

"He does not know me."

"But I know him. I got him his situation with Comte Saulevat. So you
understand..."

Victoire seemed to calm down a little:

"Well," she said, "God's will be done... or rather yours. And what do
you expect me to do in all this?"

"First, to put me up. You were my wet-nurse once. You can very well
give me half your room now. I'll sleep in the armchair."

"And next?"

"Next? To supply me with such food as I want."

"And next?"

"Next? To undertake, with me and under my direction, a regular series
of searches with a view..."

"To what?"

"To discovering the precious object of which I spoke to you."