I was driven to Rue du Pont-aux-Choux. There I did not stop to parley with the concierge; I asked for Madame Riflot, and went up at once to the fourth floor. I found a very active and wide-awake little old woman, who did not keep still an instant, but was constantly on the move from the stove to the kitchen table and cupboard while she talked with me. "I would like to say a word to Mademoiselle Rosette, if possible, madame." "Rosette? my niece Rosette?--Ah! mon Dieu! I believe it's burning! yes, I believe it's burning!" And the old woman ran and turned over the tripe that was frying on the stove. "She is here, is she not, madame?" "Rosette? my niece Rosette?--Have I got any parsley? have I got any parsley? It would be just like me not to have any parsley!" "Will you kindly tell me if I may speak to her? Will you call her?" "Who? Rosette? my niece Rosette?--A body don't have a minute to herself! It must be after twelve. Is it after twelve?" I began to lose patience, and, being convinced that Rosette was not far away, I shouted at the top of my voice: "Mademoiselle Rosette, you're wanted!" At that, the infernal old hag stopped, looked at me, and began to laugh. When she had laughed her fill, she said: "It's no use for you to call and yell, as she ain't here; you might just as well sing!" "She is not here? You should have told me that at once, madame." "You didn't give me time.--And my fire, my fire----" "In that case, madame, will you be kind enough to tell me where I can find mademoiselle your niece? I wanted to see her about mending a shawl--at Madame Berlingot's." "Rosette told me, the last time I saw her: 'I'm going to work at Aunt Piquette's, Rue aux Ours, No. 35.'--Well, have I got any embers, I wonder? Let's look and see!" "Exceedingly obliged, madame." That old woman set my nerves on edge! Thank God! I was clear of her at last! I made all haste to Aunt Piquette's, Rue aux Ours. I found no concierge at the number indicated; but a neighbor told me that Madame Piquette lived on the fifth floor. _Fichtre!_ the flights increased in number! If I should have to visit all Rosette's aunts, how high should I have to ascend, at that rate? But I hoped that I should find that intangible niece this time. I rang at Madame Piquette's door. A woman appeared who was fully sixty years of age, but who wore a cap overladen with flowers and pink ribbons. Where will not coquetry build its nest? "Madame Piquette?" "That's me, monsieur; take the trouble to come in." And she made a formal reverence, as she stood aside to let me pass. "It is useless for me to disturb you, madame; I have come to----" "I certainly shall not receive you on the landing, monsieur; please walk in." "But, madame, I have come for Mademoiselle Rosette, your niece, to----" "You will offend me by staying out here, monsieur."