"You must be a fool, to run through the street like that," said Touquet, who had grown impatient during Chaudoreille's race; "you deserve that I shouldn't finish shaving you." "Oh, zounds! that is very easy for you to say; I have been robbed--a magnificent ruff." "You can put on another." "I haven't another." "With a smile you could have as many as you wish." "Yes, yes; but I'm not by way of smiling just now." "Come, calm yourself. If our affair is successful, as I've no doubt it will be, I'll give you some crowns with which you can buy other collars; for ruffs are no longer in fashion." This assurance alleviated somewhat Chaudoreille's grief, and he reseated himself, that the barber might finish shaving him. "You will go today into the city," resumed the barber, while finishing the chevalier's toilet,--"into the Rue de la Calandre; you will go into a perfumer's shop which is about half-way down the street." "Yes, yes, I know; that is where I supply myself." "Better and better! It will be easier for you to obtain an entrance. You should know, then, the young girl whom I will describe to you: twenty years old, of medium height, unrestrained figure, brown hair and intelligent black eyes." "Listen; I don't believe that I know her, seeing that it's two or three years since I bought any perfumery, because scents make me nervous." "If you could dispense with lying to me, Chaudoreille, at every turn, you would give me great pleasure." "What do I understand by that? I lie? By jingo! I swear to you, by Rolande--" "Hold your tongue and listen. A great nobleman is in love with the young girl whose portrait I have just given you. This great nobleman is the Marquis de Villebelle." "By Jove! What, the Marquis de Villebelle! He's a jolly fellow, who makes everybody talk about him. I'm delighted to work for a man of that stamp; he's as brave as he is generous. That's a profligate after my own heart. I shall be glad to give him proofs of my zeal and my genius." "You'll have to begin by holding your tongue; remember, the least indiscretion will cost you dear. I should not have told you the name of the one who is concerned in this matter if the young girl had not known; but as she might herself tell you, it is better that you should learn it from me. Remember, you are still in my employ, and not in that of the marquis. I could myself have discharged the commission which he gave me, but I am beginning to have a reputation for probity and wisdom; it is generally thought that, turning from the errors of my youth, I no longer mix in intrigues, and I don't wish to disturb the good opinion they now have of me in this neighborhood."