from their origin; but our _romains_ are not recruited from among the nobility. No, managers are not so hard to please in their choice, and it is not necessary to show a gold ring on the first finger; provided they can show a couple of big hands, and bring these large hands rapidly and noisily together, that is the only quartering of nobility required of them. So, you see, I am quite right to warn you not to upset two of your friends for one of those rapscallions.... Now that I have enlightened you, will you allow me to leave?" I knew it would be impertinent to retain my neighbour any longer. Though his conversation, which had covered a wide range of subjects in a short time, was agreeable and highly edifying to myself, it was evident he could not say the same of mine. I could not teach him anything, save that I was ignorant of everything he knew. So I effaced myself with a sigh, not daring to ask him who he was, and allowing him to pass by with his _Pastissier françois_ hugged with both hands to his breast, fearing, no doubt, lest one of the chevaliers of whom he had just spoken, curious in the matter of rare books, should relieve him of it. I watched him withdraw with regret: a vague presentiment told me that, after having done me so much service, this man would become one of my closest friends. In the meanwhile, he had made the intervals far more interesting than the play. Happily the bell was ringing for the third act, and so the intervals were at an end. CHAPTER XI A parenthesis_--Hariadan Barberousse_ at Villers-Cotterets--I play the rôle of Don Ramire as an amateur--My costume--The third act of the _Vampire_--My friend the bibliomaniac whistles at the most critical moment--He is expelled from the theatre--Madame Allan-Dorval--Her family and her childhood--Philippe--His death and his funeral The only definite feeling I was conscious of, when my neighbour had gone, was one of utter loneliness in that vast building. So I gave my whole attention to the play. Could I judge clearly? No, certainly not as yet: the _Vampire_ was one of the first melodramas I had come across. The first was _Hariadan Barberousse._ I have forgotten to tell at the proper time and place how I became acquainted with the work of MM. Saint-Victor and Corse.