"Good-evening, Mademoiselle Caroline!" "Good-evening, Monsieur Jules!" "You are going home very late." "We have lots of work, especially on Saturday; and then I had a box to carry to Rue Richelieu; that is what makes me so late." "What have you got in this box?" "A pretty bunch of roses to wear in my cap to-morrow. I made it myself; it's very stylish, as you'll see. A clumsy fellow ran into me on the boulevard, and nearly made me drop it." At that, I slunk into the passageway in front of which I had stopped. "There are some people who never pay any attention to anything when they're walking." "I fancy this man was a student; he was looking at the sky." "Did he ask your pardon?" "Oh, yes!--But I must leave you; my aunt's waiting for me, and she'll give me a scolding." "I should be very sorry to be the cause of anything unpleasant happening to you. We shall see each other to-morrow, shan't we?" "Yes, yes; unless my aunt isn't willing that I should dance any more. She's so cross! Have you got tickets for Tivoli?" "Yes, mademoiselle, for four; I will call for you." "Early, Monsieur Jules." "Oh, never fear! But don't you forget we're to dance the first contradance together." "I never forget such things!" "Adieu, Mademoiselle Caroline!" "Adieu, Monsieur Jules!" Monsieur Jules drew nearer to her, and the girl offered her cheek. I heard a kiss. Parbleu! it was well worth while going all the way to Rue des Rosiers to see that! The young man walked away, singing; the girl went a few steps farther, then entered a passageway, of which she closed the door behind her, and I was left standing in the gutter. That Jules was evidently her lover; yes, he had every appearance of a lover, albeit an honorable one, for I was certain that he kissed nothing but her cheek; moreover, his conversation did not suggest a seducer. To-morrow, Sunday, they were going to Tivoli, with the aunt, no doubt, as he had tickets for four. Well, it was evident that I should have nothing to show for my walk. It was not the first time, but it was a pity; for she was pretty, very pretty! I examined the house with care. One can never tell--chance may serve one at some time. The street was dark, the moon being behind a cloud, and I could not make out the number. But that was of no importance, for I could recognize the passageway, the sharp corner, and the awning. "What the devil! Pray be careful what you're doing! You just missed throwing that on me!" An inmate of my charmer's house had opened his window and emptied a vessel into the street, just as I was trying to distinguish the color of the wall. Luckily, I escaped with a few splashes; but the incident abated my curiosity, and I left Rue des Rosiers, wiping my coat tails with my handkerchief. II THE PETITE-MAÎTRESSE It was not late when I returned to the boulevard; the performances at the small theatres were not yet at an end. A dozen ticket speculators ran to meet me, offering to sell me checks.