This paternal reception from murderer to murderer exhilarated the widow's son, these praises bestowed on the hereditary perversity of his family intoxicated him. Soon forgetting, in this hideous thoughtlessness, the future which menaced him, he only remembered his past misdeeds but to exaggerate them and glorify himself in the eyes of his companions. The expression, then, of his face, was as impudent as his visitor's was uneasy and concerned. This individual was one Micou, a receiver, dwelling in the Passage de la Brasserie, to whose house Madame de Fermont and her daughter, victims of the cupidity of Jacques Ferrand, had been obliged to retire. Micou knew to what punishment he was subject, for having several times acquired, at a miserable price, the fruits of Nicholas's robberies, and of several others. He being arrested, the receiver found himself almost at the discretion of the bandit, who could point him out as his habitual fence. Although this accusation might not be sustained by flagrant proofs, it was not the less very dangerous for Micou: so he had immediately executed the orders which Nicholas had sent him by a prisoner whose time had expired. "Well! how do you get on, Daddy Micou?" said the thief. "To serve you, sir," answered the receiver, eagerly. "As soon as I saw the person you sent me, right away I--" "Stop! why do you speak so loftily, Micou?" said Nicholas, interrupting him, with a sardonic air. "Do you not despise me because I am in quod?" "No, I despise no one," said the receiver, who did not care to make public his past familiarity with this wretch. "Well, then, speak as usual, or I shall believe you have no friendship for me, and that would break my heart." "As you like," said Micou, sighing. "I have busied myself with all your little commissions." "Well spoken, Micou. I knew well that you would not forget friends. The weed?" "I have left two pounds at the office, my lad." "Is it good?" "None better." "And the ham?" "Also left there, with a quartern loaf. I have added a little surprise you did not expect--half a dozen hard-boiled eggs, and a fine Dutch cheese." "That's what I call acting like a pal! And wine?" "There are six bottles, sealed; but, you know, they will only give you one bottle a day." "What would you have? One ought to be content with that." "I hope you are satisfied with me, my friend?" "Certainly; and shall be still, and shall be again, Daddy Micou, for this ham, cheese, eggs, and wine will only last the time to swallow them; but, when there is no more, there will come some more, thanks to Daddy Micou, who will give me some more sugar-plums, if I am a good boy." "How? you wish--" "In two or three days you would renew my little provision, Micou." "May the devil burn me if I do. It is all very well for once." "Good for once! Come, come; ham and wine are good always, you know that well enough." "It is possible; but I am not obliged to feed you with dainties."