"Here," said Albert, handing the girl a five-franc piece, "this is for the bunch of violets, which I will keep; for it wouldn't be fair to have made you talk all this time for nothing." "Ah! thanks, my little darling! you're a nice boy, you are; that makes up for some of those who ain't!" And Bastringuette went her way along the boulevard, crying: "Buy flowers, messieurs and mesdames! buy some pretty violets! The spring has come; buy flowers for your ladies!" "She's no fool," said Albert, looking after her as she walked away; "she is very amusing, and quick at repartee." "That is to say," rejoined Célestin, "she is one of those people who say whatever comes into their head; and as there may happen to be an occasional witty remark in the midst of a mass of nonsense, it's the fashion to say that such people are very bright. That girl is exceedingly impertinent, and that's the extent of her wit, in my opinion." "Messieurs," said Albert, "our meeting with Bastringuette interrupted our conversation, which was very interesting, however. We were speaking of Madame Plays, and I proposed to turn over to one of you my appointment for this evening. Are there no takers?" "Do you make that proposition seriously?" said young Tobie Pigeonnier, patting the gold head of his cane. "Most seriously, I assure you! I have never been in love with Madame Plays; I paid court to her, purely as a joke, to play a trick on Saint-Clair; but my one desire now is to break with my fair conquest." "Really, Madame Plays is very attractive!" rejoined Monsieur Tobie, throwing away the end of his cigar; "she's a very fine woman, her face is extremely pretty; and then, you see, I have a penchant for plump women." "In that case, you would be served to your taste," said Célestin. "But to take your place at a rendezvous; how the devil can that be arranged?" "Nothing easier," said Albert. "I am to be at the flower market on Boulevard de la Madeleine--near the church, you know--at half-past eight this evening." "I know the place very well; I often walk there on market days. Some very distinguished women come there--women in carriages; I have noticed that the flowers were only a pretext, and that they came there for other things than orange blossoms and camellias." "Very good; Madame Plays will be there. I will give you a little note for her, in which I will say that some unexpected business may detain me a little while, but that I send her one of my friends, whose discretion is unquestionable, and who will escort her to a place where I will join her as soon as I possibly can. With that note, you will go to the rendezvous in my place, you will hand the note to Madame Plays, and take her where you choose, pretending that it is a place selected by me, and that you are to stay with her, for company, until I come. I fail to appear, the lady is furious with me, and you console her. Faith! it seems to me that that will go of itself."