"Oh! that won't be easy, I tell you, monsieur; for, you see, he is very, very proud, and won't allow anyone to lend him money. I was unfortunate enough last night to propose to go and order a prescription which the doctor had left for him. He said to me: 'How are you going to pay for it? I haven't given you any money.' I answered: 'Dear me! that doesn't make any difference; I have some money, and you can pay me back.'--At that, he shouted at me almost angrily: 'I don't propose to have anyone lend me money! I haven't asked you for it, I don't need any medicine, and I won't have it, I won't have anything!'--And it isn't possible to make him listen to reason. Aside from that, he is very good-natured, and whenever his pain grows a little less, he always has something amusing to say. The fact is, that he has a very _comme il faut_ manner, like you, monsieur; and perhaps he was once rich like you." "What is the matter with him?" "Gout, so he says." "Gout?--and his name--do you know his name?" "Yes, his name is Monsieur de Roncherolle." "Roncherolle!" The count repeated the name with such evident surprise and agitation that the girl was terrified. "What is the matter, monsieur?" she stammered; "does that name also recall painful memories? Do you know my unfortunate neighbor?" "Yes, yes, my child, I do know him; but be very careful not to speak to him of me, not to mention my name before him, for you would simply aggravate his trouble." "Very well, monsieur, I will be careful.--But, monsieur, does it make you angry that I go to take care of my neighbor when I have time?" "No, Violette, no, no! on the contrary, devote yourself to this Monsieur de Roncherolle; far from blaming you for it, I urge you to do it; it is your duty, for it is always a duty to help one's neighbor. But listen to me: if, while talking, this gentleman should question you about your family,--I mean, concerning what you know as to the manner in which you were given in charge to your nurse,--don't tell him any more than you have told Madame de Grangeville." "I will remember, monsieur." "All this must seem very strange to you; but pray believe that it is for your own welfare that I advise you to act thus." "Oh! you tell me to do it, monsieur, and that is enough for me; have I not placed all my confidence in you?" "I will reward you for it, my child. Au revoir." "Are you going, monsieur? have you no orders for me? don't you want me to carry a bouquet to Madame de Grangeville to-day?" "No, no; it is better that you should make haste to sell your flowers and return to do what you can for Monsieur de Roncherolle. Madame de Grangeville can do without flowers, but the man who is suffering cannot do without help." The count left the young flower girl and returned home deep in thought, saying to himself: