"And that does not prevent your running in debt again?" "Can I live on the miserable allowance he gives me?--Well, Jarnonville, do you know a money lender who may consent to help me at this moment?" "No, I do not know one, for I have never had any relations with those gentry; but I have two hundred gold pieces about me bearing the effigy of our monarch; I intended to play lansquenet to-night. Here is my purse; if you would like it, it is at your disposal." "Faith! Jarnonville, it would be a great service to me; but I am afraid of being importunate." "Not at all--take it." "And your game of lansquenet?" "If need be, I will play on credit; but, instead of going to La Valteline's to gamble, I will go to Durfeuille the financier's, and get drunk; that will be one way of employing my time." "Very well; in that case, I accept; but it is my duty to warn you that I do not now know when I shall be able to repay this loan." "No matter! no matter! Do not worry about that; it is the least of my anxieties. Adieu, count, adieu!" The Sire de Jarnonville walked rapidly away, without listening to his debtor's thanks; and Léodgard placed the purse filled with gold in his belt, saying to himself: "He has done me a great service. He's an original fellow, but he has his good points.--When I have spent this money, what shall I do to get some more?--But what am I thinking about? I have a well-lined purse upon me and I am sighing for a lovely girl. Pardieu! this is not the time to worry about the future! What disturbs me now is to see that window remain closed. It has been dark a long while; can it be that Bathilde will not come to the balcony?--Ah! it seems to me that I have never loved a woman as I love her. How different she is from the coquettes of the court! from our courtesans--aye, from our _petites bourgeoises_! The purest innocence shines on that child's brow.--What bliss to teach her what love is--to be the first to make her heart beat!--But she does not appear!" Léodgard stamped his foot impatiently and began to pace the street, without losing sight of the bath keeper's house. Let us see what Bathilde was doing at that moment. I need not tell you that on leaving the Place de Grève to return to her home Landry's daughter had not failed to discover that the handsome Comte de Marvejols was following her. She had not seemed to notice it, she had not released her hold of Ambroisine's arm for an instant, she had not turned her head; and yet she had seen that the young man was following her. How had she done it? That is a mystery which I am unable to solve. I can simply assure you that all women, young or old, from the most sophisticated to the most innocent, possess that faculty. Probably it is the second-sight of the Scotch, except that they have it in the back of the head. Bathilde returned to her little room, disturbed by a sentiment that was entirely novel to her; her bosom rose and fell more rapidly, she felt happier than she had ever felt.