"It is, indeed; but it seems as if I had seen it on somebody." "You have seen its mate on Madame Plays." "Ah! that's it. And what are you doing with this one? Are you in the way of giving your mistresses cashmere shawls?" "Why not! If you should see this shawl on the fair American's shoulders, do you think that she would still laugh at my love?" Célestin pressed his lips together, then replied: "Oh, no! I should be compelled to believe, on the contrary, that you are a fortunate mortal. But it must have been very expensive!" "Five thousand francs!" "The deuce! it's a present worthy of a prince; but I don't believe she will accept it." "And I am sure that she will." "Has Madame Baldimer returned from the country?" "Yes, last night; and look, do you see this little note?" "By the perfume alone, I divine that it's from a woman." "I have just received it; it's from the fair widow, and she expects me at ten this evening." "At ten o'clock; she makes appointments for rather a late hour." "So much the better; I will try to prolong the interview, and not leave her till to-morrow morning." Célestin turned away to hide a grimace which he could not control; then he replied, in a very vivacious tone: "Pending your love rendezvous, will you meet us this evening, a little before nine? We propose to nab Seigneur Pigeonnier, who thinks that a lady is to meet him on Place des Italiens." "Oh! I will be there, of course. Poor Tobie! we must have a little fun at his expense; but afterward, if he can't pay, I'll lend him five hundred francs, so that he can settle with Monsieur Varinet." "The devil! You are a good fellow. Are you in funds?" "My father is so kind to me! he gives me money without being asked." "Parbleu! he has nobody left but you; it's right that he should satisfy all your desires." "But I have been spending too much money for some time past; I mean to reform." "Is that why you pay five thousand francs for a shawl?" "This will be my last folly." "And you propose to lend Tobie five hundred francs?" "I am so happy! I would like to be able to oblige all my friends." "If I had suspected that," thought Célestin, "I would have invented a story to make him anxious to oblige me too.--Shall we dine together to-day?" he said aloud. "It is impossible. I promised my father to dine with him. I have done it so seldom lately that he looks on it as a great favor, and he's too kind to me for me not to try to please him." "You are becoming a model of filial respect!" "Célestin," exclaimed Albert, in a very sharp tone, "I allow you to joke about whatever you choose, except my affection for my father; that is a sentiment which must be respected. It seems to me that it would be very unfortunate if there were nothing left in the world to respect." "Oh! mon Dieu! don't lose your temper! I had no such purpose as you imagine. Until this evening! we shall expect you at the usual place."