"Oh, no! it isn't that." "Oho! as long as it isn't that, then you will listen to me." "No, I will not listen to you; because I know that you are too fickle, that you never keep a mistress more than a month at the longest; and I don't choose to be cast aside like that." "Somebody has been telling you fairy tales. I won't say that I love forever. Pardieu! my fair, if we did not leave them, they would leave us. Someone must begin, and I prefer that I should be the one." "You have a way of settling matters which doesn't cause me to change my opinion about you. You are too much run after, too popular in good society, to attach yourself to a grisette!" "There's some truth in what you say! You argue well, my charming friend; but allow me to tell you that I've had my fill and more of great ladies, and that I am absolutely indifferent to what people may say and think of me." "I don't believe you.--Adieu, monsieur! I must go home." "Oh! I don't let you go until I have an answer from you." "Later--we will see." "Then you will come again to see me? By the way, I must have two more cigar cases; I want them to give to my friends. Meanwhile, let me pay you for this one." And the young man took a purse full of gold from his pocket and tossed it into Georgette's lap. She looked at it for a moment, then weighed it in her hand, and said: "What is this?" "It's what I owe you." The pretty creature opened the purse and amused herself by counting its contents. "Almost five hundred francs! Really, that's a high price for a cigar case!" "But you are going to make me two more; that will pay for them all." "Oh! no, monsieur; I can't accept so much; I will take what is due me, but no more." As she spoke, Georgette took fifteen francs in gold from the purse, which she proceeded to place on the table. Then she ran from the room, crying: "Adieu, monsieur le vicomte! I will come again when your cigar cases are done." Edward was so surprised by the girl's abrupt departure, that he did not even think of detaining her. XXII TERTIA SOLVET As may be imagined, Georgette's refusal to accept the purse of gold had not diminished in the least degree the rich young man's caprice for the maiden; on the contrary, it was certain to intensify it, as she who had adopted that course of action well knew. The desires that are quickly satisfied last but a short time; our passions do not increase in force and deprive us of repose altogether, unless they encounter obstacles in their path. Good fortune that comes of itself--bah! no one cares for that! It is an unseasoned dish. But, thanks to this new fancy, which rapidly became tyrannical in its demands, the viscount ceased to be bored, and smoked a few less cigarettes; which proves that love is always of some benefit. His friends noticed the change. "My dear fellow, you have some new passion on the brain," said Florville; "I would stake my head on it!"