“But, mademoiselle, you must have the kindness to carry it to madame yourself, for I am in a great hurry; I haven’t time to wait, and I shan’t come back this way.” “I am to carry the bouquet? Is it far from here?” “No, mademoiselle, Boulevard Beaumarchais, 98.” “That is quite a long distance.” “No, mademoiselle; you know, if you don’t leave the boulevard, you are soon there.” “Oh! I know all about that, and if there is no great hurry----” “Can you carry it within an hour?” “Yes, I will go within an hour.” “By the way, madame wants also to order a smaller one for to-morrow, to take to a wedding or a ball; madame will explain to you about it. So she can rely upon the bouquet, mademoiselle?” “To be sure, monsieur, as I have received the money. You say Madame de Belleval, Boulevard Beaumarchais, 98?” “That’s it; good-morning.” The servant disappeared, and Violette began to select her finest flowers, saying to herself: “It seems that this is likely to be a good customer! I can make as much as I choose! To think that Georget, when he was without money the other day and his mother was sick, didn’t apply to me! And he says that he loves me! Perhaps I spoke too harshly to him; and he thinks that I have an unfeeling heart; I don’t want him to think that!” When the girl had finished the bouquet, with which she took the greatest care, she asked a neighbor to look after her booth and started for Boulevard Beaumarchais; she arrived at the number given her; she entered an attractive, newly-built house and asked the concierge: “Madame de Belleval?” The concierge assumed the expression of a person who does not know what one means; then suddenly he remembered and slapped his leg, exclaiming: “Ah! what a stupid fool I am! I forgot all about it.--Go up to the fifth floor, the door at the right, for Madame de Belleval.” “The fifth floor?” “Yes, the door at the right.” Violette went upstairs, saying to herself: “That concierge acted very strangely when he answered me; perhaps he always has that manner. It’s surprising that a lady who buys such handsome bouquets should live so high; but lodgings are very dear now; and after all, it’s none of my business.” And without the slightest suspicion, the girl quickly climbed the five flights and rang at the door on the right hand. It was opened immediately, and a woman who had the appearance of a box-opener out of a job said to Violette: “Ah! mamzelle has brought the bouquet; that’s good! Come in, mamzelle, come in.” “But I only have to deliver the bouquet,--it is paid for.” “No matter; come in, mamzelle, she wants to speak to you; wait a minute.” And the girl was almost pushed into a small salon the door of which was at once closed upon her.