"I thought that monsieur would not be sorry to learn that there is in the house a young woman who is really deserving of a moment's attention." "Aha! so this beauty lives in the house, does she?" "Yes, monsieur. The concierge, who represents the owner, has several rooms at the top of the house which he furnishes neatly and rents on his own account." "Oh, yes! his little perquisites; I understand. Well?" "Well, it's one of those rooms that he has rented to Mademoiselle Georgette, an exceedingly virtuous person, so it seems, who rarely goes out and receives no visitors." "Ah! very good! So it's a real model of virtue, is it? Did the concierge undertake to swear to that?" "No, monsieur, the concierge didn't say positively that it was so; I simply repeat what I heard." "And what does this chaste creature do?" "She makes small articles in embroidery, monsieur; charming little things, such as mats for candlesticks, little rugs to put under your feet, and cigar cases--oh! lovely cigar cases!" "How do you know? Have you bought something of the girl already?" "No, monsieur; but the concierge showed me one that his new tenant made for a present to him; it is exceedingly pretty." "The concierge smokes, does he?" "Oh! like a porter, monsieur." "Those knaves take every conceivable liberty!--Well! how does all this concern me?" "I thought that monsieur might be curious to see the little one from upstairs." "Just an ordinary face, I am sure; one of those affected little minxes--the grisette who wants to be followed; I know all about it." "Oh, no! this one has no ordinary face. I will not say that she is precisely a beauty; that would not be true; but it is the whole aspect of her that attracts--and, above all, a figure so well set up--superb outlines--a shapely leg and such a tiny foot!" "Really! has she all those things? You have examined her very closely, haven't you?" "I was on the landing just now, monsieur, as she came upstairs, in a jacket and a short petticoat, both white; and the petticoat has an embroidered hem. Oh! she doesn't seem to be at all hard up! And she was humming between her teeth as she came up. I stood aside to let her pass; at that, she gave me a very pleasant bow; and as she was going on, I said: 'Are we to have the good fortune to have you for a neighbor, mademoiselle?'" "This devil of a Lépinette doesn't waste any time; he makes acquaintances at once!" "When one has the honor of being in monsieur le vicomte's service, one should understand how to deal with the fair sex." "That's not bad. Go on!" "The young woman stopped, and answered very pleasantly: 'Yes, monsieur, I live in the house.'--Then she bowed again and went on upstairs." "Is that all?" "No, monsieur. As that meeting was very agreeable to me, I went out on the landing several times. It was a happy thought. A moment ago, the young woman came downstairs very fast."