"Oh! you are very kind, monsieur; but--when a doctor puts himself out to call, it costs more than when one goes to see him." "Never fear; it won't cost you any more, for it won't cost anything." "Oh! you are very good! And you won't forget to come?" "If your bruise was a mere trifle, I might forget you; but it's serious enough to prevent my neglecting it. I will come to see you." "This is my address, monsieur: Annette--Rue Rochechouart, corner of Rue Bellefond." "Just Annette?" "That's all, monsieur; when a girl has been foolish, she ought not to bear her parents' name." "Here, my child, here are your prescriptions. Be careful to follow my directions. Don't tire yourself, and be good. It's a bore, I know, but it is necessary for your safety. I will see you in a few days." The girl had rebuttoned her dress and was about to leave the room. "Have you seen Monsieur Bouqueton since?" I asked. "Oh, no, monsieur! the monster! If I should see him, I believe I should faint with fright." "But what about your young lover? Didn't he promise to avenge you, when he found out what had happened?" "Oh, yes! he is going to square accounts with him, if he ever meets him. But he's a thoughtless fellow, my lover is! He says that one day, but forgets all about it the next." "Well, mademoiselle, I promise you that you shall be avenged; I promise you that Monsieur--Bouqueton shall receive sooner or later the punishment that his treatment of you deserves. If your lover doesn't administer it, I myself will undertake to do it." "You, monsieur? Why, do you know Monsieur Bouqueton?" "I never saw the man, but I know who he is. I tell you again--you shall be avenged." "Oh! mon Dieu! monsieur, I am not very vindictive; just let me get well, and I won't think any more about that old villain.--I have the honor to salute you, monsieur le médécin!" "I expected that you were to witness an amusing consultation," said Balloquet, after Annette had gone; "for these girls come to see us so often for mere trifles. But, unluckily, I was mistaken. That poor creature made my heart ache, her injury is so serious; I anticipate the worst--terrible suffering, and death." "Poor girl! What a punishment for her sins! What a ghastly result of idleness, of indolence! I will not say, of coquetry, for there was nothing in her dress to indicate that she has ever been kept." "Is it true that you know this infamous blackguard who kicked her in the breast?" "Yes; his name is not Bouqueton; that is a name he assumes to cover up his escapades."