Part 10 (1/2)
”Mon Dieu! what a face! Your eyes are coming out of your head!”
”I don't know what's the matter with me, my dear; but this much is certain, that I don't feel very well.”
”Oh! I see well enough what the matter is; it seems to me that you have been having a good bout!”
Robineau had thrown himself into a chair, and was sighing piteously.
Fifine followed him and stood gazing at him with a scornful shrug. At last, finding that he said nothing, but continued to sigh, she exclaimed:
”How much longer are you going to groan like that? You seem to have come back from your ball in fine spirits!”
”Ah! Fifine, that is because I consider a ball a very foolish thing!--These great parties--the trouble one has to take in dressing--all for the sake of being bored to death!--Ah! I should have done much better to keep my money to go into the country with you.”
”Oho! I see how it is; monsieur has lost his money at ecarte; and then morality comes to the front.”
”Yes, my darling girl, I have lost my all! I have nothing left!”
”I wish all your ecarte players had the jaundice, and you too!”
”I don't know if I have the jaundice, but I feel very sick at my stomach.”
”Oh! I believe you; your disappointment evidently didn't interfere with your eating and drinking.”
”I took almost nothing, I a.s.sure you; but there was a magnificent supper.”
”Did you bring me any good things?”
”I had my pockets full; and I don't know how it happened, but I haven't anything at all now!”
”Ah! I recognize you there! How kind of you!”
”Fifine, if you find fault with me, I shall be ill.”
”That means that your supper was too much for you. What a charming creature--a lover like this, who goes off to enjoy himself with other people, and comes home with an attack of indigestion!”
”Don't abandon me, Fifine, I implore you!”
”That's it! I must nurse him now!--Well, stay there; keep quiet, and I'll make you some tea.”
”Oh, yes! make me some tea; I don't want to drink anything else.”
The young milliner hastened downstairs and bought all that she needed for Robineau, who had a severe attack of indigestion. But Fifine was active, quick-witted and skilful; in an instant she lighted a fire, heated some water and gave the sick man a cup of tea. Thanks to her attentions, he felt better after a little, and at each cup of tea that the girl gave him, he cried:
”Ah! I shall remember your kindness, Fifine; I won't spend my money with anybody but you. I wish I had a crown to offer you, and even then I should not think that I had paid you for your devotion.--As for these big parties, I shan't go to any more of them. Society offers no temptations to me;--a cottage and you--that is true happiness!”
IV
UNEXPECTED FORTUNE.--A RIDE.--THE EFFECTS OF WEALTH