"They excuse you. In Paris, you see, everyone is expected to keep in his own place.--But that reminds me that there is someone whom I must thank; but she is not a great lady, and I am sure that she will be very glad to see me." "Who is it?" "That fine girl who stationed herself in front of us and defended us, when we were being insulted. What! have you forgotten already?" "Oh, no! no! I know whom you mean; and I remember that those young gentlemen called out to her: 'Stand away from there, Ambroisine; that's no place for you!'" "Yes, you are right: her name is Ambroisine. But I must go now to find a lady who is to show me my room and tell me what I have to do. You are free, Cédrille; you can go out and see Paris--walk about, amuse yourself, do whatever you choose." "But it isn't the same with you, cousin; you're at other people's orders now; but you would have it, you preferred to come to Paris and go into service, rather than be your cousin's wife. And yet, you know that you would always have been the mistress of the house, and that I would have been your servant!" "Enough, Cédrille, enough! I thought that it was agreed that you would not go back to that subject. I told you once for all that I could not be your wife." "Yes, that's true; but you didn't tell me why you couldn't be." "Because it doesn't suit me, apparently; it seems to me that my wish should be sufficient." "Oh! of course, if it is because you don't love me. It's true enough that we can't compel a woman to love us!" "I love you like a friend, like a brother, Cédrille." "Well, I'd have been content to be your husband on those terms; and then, nobody knows, love might have come afterward!--But here you are looking cross at me, and drawing your eyebrows together.--It's all over, cousin; I will keep my word and never speak of the subject again." "Good! otherwise, I would save you the trouble of saying adieu to me.--By the way, Cédrille, if you would, you might take me to Rue Saint-Jacques this evening. I will come out, if I can, at nightfall." "I should like to, cousin; I will wait for you in the street." At that moment a middle-aged woman came to Miretta and told her to follow her. While the girl, with an _au revoir_ to her companion, returned to the house, a servant wearing a handsome livery with heavy gold lace approached the Béarnais peasant and courteously invited him to come to the servants' quarters and refresh himself. Cédrille returned with interest all the servant's salutations, and followed him, crying: "Jarni! that isn't to be refused, monsieur! I shall be glad to take something, and I would even eat a bit, with your permission." "You shall have whatever you may wish," replied the valet, with a smile. "Well, well!" said Cédrille to himself; "this reconciles me to Paris and makes me forget this morning's battle." XIII THE _LOUP DE MER_ WINE SHOP