Tears stood in Elina's eyes when she finished. Paul looked at her with emotion, lovingly; she seemed to him prettier than ever, for laudable sentiments have a way of embellishing those who are inspired by them, whereas evil sentiments change and distort the prettiest face. Women do not regard their own interests when they are angry, sulky, or jealous. "You are quite right, mademoiselle," said Paul, with a sigh; "you must be very happy to have something that comes from your parents." "Have you lost yours, Monsieur Paul?" "Yes, mademoiselle." "A long while ago?" "Yes." "Didn't they leave you anything that had belonged to them?" "No, mademoiselle--nothing." "Mon Dieu! what an extraordinary resemblance there is between us! Both orphans; both hardly knew our parents--we are in the same situation." "Oh! no, mademoiselle; you are much more fortunate!" "Yes, of course; because I have this wardrobe and this little desk." Paul made no reply, but turned his head away and wiped his eyes. "What a stupid creature I am!" cried Elina; "to talk of things that make you sad! Come, let us go to work; we have none too much time. I have the key of our new lodgings; it's the door on the opposite side of the landing; I'll go and open it." While the girl went to open the door, Paul took down the bed, being careful to make as little noise as possible; then he began to move the furniture into the new lodgings. Elina pointed out a little loft, which was reached from a small, square room. "That's my bedroom," she said. "It seems that I shan't have any too much light up there. However, my aunt says that one doesn't need to see in order to go to bed." "Your aunt is far from kind to you, mademoiselle; and yet she cannot have any fault to find with you." "Oh! Monsieur Paul, aunts don't think as one's--friends do. They always find some reason for scolding. Wait; there's a ladder to climb up to my new room; let me fix it firmly." "Let me do that, mademoiselle." The young man put the ladder in place and went up into the loft. "Do you think it will hold all my furniture?" Elina called to him. "Why, it's not so very small. But if you set up your bed, mademoiselle, there won't be room for your wardrobe and desk." "In that case, we won't set it up; I don't care anything about it--it's my aunt's. I'd much rather sleep on the floor, and keep my father's and mother's furniture." "But you won't be comfortable if you sleep on the floor." "I shall be all right. I am not hard to suit, and I am perfectly content if my wardrobe and desk can be got in."