My heart began to beat violently. Afraid and charmed by this
adventure, I went at once to the place indicated by the Capuchin,
but at a quiet pace, which seemed to me to be more becoming. Arrived
at the embankment I saw a carriage and a tiny hand on the door.

This door was opened at my coming, and very much surprised I was to
find inside the coach Mam'selle Catherine, dressed in pink satin,
her head covered with a hood of black lace, underneath which her
fair hair seemed to sport.

Confused I remained standing on the step.

"Come in," she said, "and sit down near me. Shut the door if you
please; you must not be seen. Just now in passing on the Cours I saw
you sitting at the cafe. Immediately I had you fetched by the good
friar, whom I had attached to me for the Lenten exercises, and whom
I have kept since, because, in whatever position one may be, it is
necessary to have piety. You looked very well, M. Jacques, sitting
before your little table, your sword across your thighs and with the
sad look of a man of quality. I have always been friendly disposed
towards you and I am not of that kind of women who in their
prosperity disregard their former friends."

"Eh! What? Mam'selle Catherine," I exclaimed, "this coach, these
lackeys, this satin dress----"

"They are the outcome," she replied, "of the kindness of M. de la
Gueritude, who is of the best set and one of the richest financiers.
He has lent money to the king. He is an excellent friend whom, for
all the world, I should not wish to offend. But he is not as amiable