as you, M. Jacques. He has also given me a little house at Grenelle,
which I will show you from the cellar to the garret. M. Jacques, I
am mighty glad to see you on the road to fortune. Real merit is
always discovered. You'll see my bedroom, which is copied from that
of Mademoiselle Davilliers. It is covered all over with looking-
glass and there are lots of grotesque figures. How is the old fellow
your father? Between ourselves, he somewhat neglects his wife and
his cook-shop. It is very wrong of a man in his position. But let us
speak of yourself."

"Let us speak of you, Mam'selle Catherine," said I. "You are so very
pretty and it is a great pity you love the Capuchin." Nothing could
be said against a government contractor.

"Oh!" she said, "do not reproach me with Friar Ange. I have him for
my salvation only and if I would give a rival to M. de la Gueritude
it would be----"

"Would be?"

"Don't ask me, M. Jacques; you're an ungrateful man, for you know
that I always singled you out, but you do not care about me."

"Quite the contrary, Mam'selle Catherine. I smarted under your
mockery. You sneered at my beardless chin. Many a time you have told
me that I am but a ninny."

"And that was true, M. Jacques, truer than you believed it to be.
Why could you not see that I had a liking for you?"