Meanwhile Frontin, who soon discovered that his master was enamored of the damsel of the entresol, told him all that happened in the house, and all the foolish freaks to which Monsieur Bistelle resorted in his endeavors to commend himself to Mademoiselle Georgette. "What do you say? that ugly creature hopes to make a conquest of that pretty grisette?" cried Monsieur de Mardeille; "didn't he ever look at himself in the glass?" "I don't know whether he knows how ugly he is," replied Frontin; "but I assure you, monsieur, that he flatters himself that he has made an impression on Mademoiselle Georgette; he declares that she smiles sweetly at him when he's at his window." "Smiles! Why, it's at me that the girl smiles, not at him! It's impossible that it should be at him! The conceited ass! the monkey! for the fellow looks very much like a monkey, doesn't he, Frontin?" "Yes, monsieur; and he makes gestures like one, too." "What! do you mean to say that he presumes to do what monkeys do?" "Faith! monsieur, he goes through some very curious performances; they're very much like it! But that isn't all." "What else is there, Frontin?" "I know that Monsieur Bistelle sent a very fine bouquet to Mademoiselle Georgette this morning." "A bouquet! The popinjay! He had the assurance! And did the little one accept his bouquet?" "Yes, monsieur; indeed, it's on her window sill now." "Can it be possible? I must look." Monsieur de Mardeille lost no time in going where he could see the shirtmaker's window; he not only saw a huge bouquet on the sill, but he saw Monsieur Bistelle walking in the courtyard and humming: "And if I am not there, At least my flowers will be." "Well, well! I must act, that is plain!" said the elderly dandy to himself; "I must declare myself in some other way than by standing at the window. Still, I can't make a straight dash for that grisette's rooms; that might compromise me. Ah! I have an idea! It's as simple as can be. She makes shirts. There's a pretext right at my hand.--Look you, Frontin." "Here I am, monsieur." "I want you to go to Mademoiselle Georgette's." "The pretty neighbor's?" "Yes; you will present yourself in my name, and most politely. You will say to her that, as I have heard that she is a shirtmaker and as I have some very fine shirts to be made up---- That isn't true; I don't need any, but they are always useful and I can safely order a dozen.--You will say to her then, that, as I have some work for her, I shall be much obliged if she will take the trouble to come to my rooms. You understand: in this way, I don't compromise myself, and I shall be able to talk to her much more freely than in her apartment." "Yes, monsieur, yes; I will go and do your errand." "Be perfectly courteous and respectful; that flatters these little girls." "Yes, monsieur; and you don't want me to take her a bouquet too?"