Volume V Part 68 (2/2)
I felt certain that they would have recourse to ht We were at dessert when they put in an appearance I made them sit down, and the eldest sister exhausted her eloquence to persuade race
”You will findto adopt my plan If you wish to hear it, kindly followher sister with Goudar, and uineas, saying,--
”These are yours; but you knohat ter sheattacked, I set to work; but finding her resistance serious I let her alone, and begged her to leave my house immediately
She called to her sister, and they both went out
In the evening, as I was going to the play, I called on my wine merchant to hear the news He told me that the hter had gone with her; but he did not knohat had beco quite sad, and al taken co down to supper they appeared before dalens The eldest, as the orator of the company, told me that their mother was in prison, and that they would have to pass the night in the street if I did not take pity on theood fires,” said I, ”but first let ht appeared on every countenance, and I had nuerly but sadly, and only drank water
”Your melancholy and your abstinence displeases o upstairs and you will find everything necessary for your co and not to let ain”
They went up to the second floor without a word
An hour afterwards, just as I was going to bed, the eldest girl came into my room and said she wished to have a private intervieith ro to withdraw, and asked her to explain herself
”What will you do for us,” said she, ”if I consent to share your couch?”
”I will give you twenty guineas, and I will lodge and board you as long as you give an to undress, and got into bed She was subive me so usted with her and got up, and giving her a bank note for twenty guineas I told her to put on her clothes and go back to her room
”You must all leave my house to-iving yourself up for love you have prostituted yourself I blush for you”
She obeyed mutely, and I went to sleep in an ill hu I akened by a hand shaking ently I opened hter
”What do you want?” I said, coldly
”I want you to take pity on us, and shelter us in your house for a few days longer I will be very grateful My sister has told ive her, for her heart is not her own She is in love with an Italian who is in prison for debt”
”And I suppose you are in love with someone else?”
”No, I am not”
”Could you love ently I drew her towards me, and embraced her, and as I felt her kisses answer mine, I said,--
”You have conquered”
”My name is Victoire”