"What in the devil can I have her embroider? Ah! a cravat! I believe they're not in fashion, men don't wear embroidered cravats now; but, no matter, I'll tell her it's the fashion at Brives-la-Gaillarde; and, after all, what does she care, so long as I give her work?" He reached the third landing, where there were several doors; but he discovered the little toothbrush hanging at the end of a bell cord, and he boldly pulled it. The door was opened by Mademoiselle Georgette herself, who smiled mischievously when she saw who her visitor was. She was still dressed in the white jacket and short fustian skirt; that costume was very becoming to her, it showed off all her good points. If we dared, we would say that that costume is becoming to all women--but we should add: provided they are well built. "Mademoiselle Georgette--embroiderer?" inquired Dupont, assuming rather a patronizing air. "Yes, monsieur." "Mademoiselle, I came--I should like--I was told----" "Pray come in, monsieur; I don't receive my visitors on the landing." Dupont asked nothing better than to accept the invitation. He entered a room of which he had only caught a glimpse from his window. It was simply furnished, but extremely neat and clean; the floor was scrubbed and waxed; there was not a speck of dust on the furniture; the bed was very white and smooth; all of which spoke loudly in favor of the occupant. Demosthenes, being asked what constituted an orator, replied: "Elocution, elocution, elocution!" A philosophical king, being asked what occasioned the fall of the ramparts of a city, replied: "Money, money, money!" And Ninon, being asked what was the most beautiful ornament of womankind, replied: "Cleanliness, cleanliness, cleanliness!" The girl offered Dupont a chair; she did the honors of her domicile with infinite ease, and seemed in no wise intimidated by her visitor. He, on the other hand, while he tried to assume an imposing manner, became exceedingly awkward, and had much difficulty in finding words, especially as Mademoiselle Georgette waited for him to speak, with an expression which seemed to indicate a powerful desire to laugh. "I came, mademoiselle, for----" "For something, I presume, monsieur." "Yes, mademoiselle; I have been told--that you embroider." "You were told the truth. Have you something you wish to have embroidered?" "Yes--that is to say--I don't know whether embroidered cravats are worn in Paris?" "No, monsieur; they are not in style now." "Indeed! and cuffs?" "Nor cuffs either." "And--handkerchiefs?" "For ladies; oh! yes, monsieur, some beautiful embroidery is done on handkerchiefs." "Ah! very good! You do embroider handkerchiefs!" While they conversed, Dupont cast frequent glances at the young woman's feet, which were small and well arched; the lower part of the leg was very shapely; so that his thoughts were diverted, and he murmured again and again: "Ah! you embroider handkerchiefs!"