“I assure you, you ought,” said Lupin, in a tone of thoughtful conviction. “I’ve tried everything. I’ve taken my degree in medicine and in law. I have been an actor, and a professor of Jiu-jitsu. I have even been a member of the detective force, like that wretched Guerchard. Oh, what a dirty world that is! Then I launched out into society. I have been a duke. Well, I give you my word that not one of these professions equals that of burglar—not even the profession of Duke. There is so much of the unexpected in it, Victoire—the splendid unexpected.... And then, it’s full of variety, so terrible, so fascinating.” His voice sank a little, and he added, “And what fun it is!” “Fun!” cried Victoire. “Yes ... these rich men, these swells in their luxury—when one relieves them of a bank-note, how they do howl! ... You should have seen that fat old Gournay-Martin when I relieved him of his treasures—what an agony! You almost heard the death-rattle in his throat. And then the coronet! In the derangement of their minds—and it was sheer derangement, mind you—already prepared at Charmerace, in the derangement of Guerchard, I had only to put out my hand and pluck the coronet. And the joy, the ineffable joy of enraging the police! To see Guerchard’s furious eyes when I downed him.... And look round you!” He waved his hand round the luxurious room. “Duke of Charmerace! This trade leads to everything ... to everything on condition that one sticks to it ....I tell you, Victoire, that when one cannot be a great artist or a great soldier, the only thing to be is a great thief!” “Oh, be quiet!” cried Victoire. “Don’t talk like that. You’re working yourself up; you’re intoxicating yourself! And all that, it is not Catholic. Come, at your age, you ought to have one idea in your head which should drive out all these others, which should make you forget all these thefts.... Love ... that would change you, I’m sure of it. That would make another man of you. You ought to marry.” “Yes ... perhaps ... that would make another man of me. That’s what I’ve been thinking. I believe you’re right,” said Lupin thoughtfully. “Is that true? Have you really been thinking of it?” cried Victoire joyfully. “Yes,” said Lupin, smiling at her eagerness. “I have been thinking about it—seriously.” “No more messing about—no more intrigues. But a real woman ... a woman for life?” cried Victoire. “Yes,” said Lupin softly; and his eyes were shining in a very grave face. “Is it serious—is it real love, dearie?” said Victoire. “What’s she like?” “She’s beautiful,” said Lupin. “Oh, trust you for that. Is she a blonde or a brunette?” “She’s very fair and delicate—like a princess in a fairy tale,” said Lupin softly. “What is she? What does she do?” said Victoire. “Well, since you ask me, she’s a thief,” said Lupin with a mischievous smile. “Good Heavens!” cried Victoire. “But she’s a very charming thief,” said Lupin; and he rose smiling.