"But what is the meaning of this virtuous conduct? what revolution has taken place in you? who has wrought this miracle?" "Who? Don't you suspect?" "Faith, no!" "Well, it was you, my dear Gustave." "I? Nonsense!" "It's the truth, none the less. Twice now, you have obliged me; and with such tact, such generosity----" "Oh! I beg you----" "Sacrebleu! let me speak; I am not talking _blague_ now, and you must believe me, because I have no reason for lying. I brought myself up with a sharp turn; I said to myself that, although I am no longer young, I am not old enough yet to live at other people's expense. In short, I don't propose to throw money out of window any more.--Better still: I am conscious now of a desire to do something--to work and occupy my mind. I used to laugh at clerks, at the men employed in offices; but find me such a place, my friend, and I promise you that I'll fill it in such a way that they won't turn me away." Gustave took Cherami's hand and pressed it warmly. "This is very well done of you," he said; "I certainly can't blame you for such good resolutions. If you keep to them, why, I will look about, and I will find something for you." "Oh! I shall keep to them; my mind is made up." "Meanwhile, as one must never carry anything to excess, there's no law against your drinking champagne, provided you don't get drunk on it." "Very good; let us drink it, then." "To my love!" "To your love! But take my advice, and attend to your business yourself; don't put it in the little sister's hands any more." "Do you think her capable of doing me a bad turn with Fanny?" "No, indeed! God forbid! she loves you too well to do you a bad turn with anybody. But the result of my experience is that, in love, you should never employ an ambassador. It's a waste of time." "I will follow your advice. Thursday, I shall see Fanny at her father's, and I will ask her permission to call on her." "In that way," said Cherami to himself, "that poor girl won't have them making love under her nose, at all events." XLIV COQUETRY Thursday arrived, and on that day a few faithful friends and some less faithful acquaintances were accustomed to meet at Monsieur Gerbault's in the evening and play cards. Among the faithful friends--faithful in their attendance, that is--were Messieurs Clairval and Batonnin; among those who came only occasionally was young Anatole de Raincy, who, like a well-bred youth, had not taken offence at Adolphine's refusal of his hand; and, being still a great lover of music, did not, because of that refusal, renounce the pleasure of singing duets with her.