"No, my boy, I haven't been to the play; but listen carefully to what I am going to say to you, for it is very serious, very important; I need you to-morrow, you must be at my room at eight o'clock at the latest." "That is easy enough, I will be there. Is that all?" "No, I also want your friend Georget, Violette's young sweetheart, to come with you; I need him too." "Is that so? What for, bourgeois?" "I will tell you both to-morrow, not before; meanwhile, let your friend understand that his future happiness and Violette's are concerned." "Oh! in that case, never fear; he won't fail to come!" "But don't mention this to anybody, not even to Violette; it is a secret." "We won't say a word." "Are you sure of seeing Georget this evening?" "Pardi! when he doesn't go to walk with Violette, he is at home; at any rate, he must go home, and I will wait for him." "Very well, is he still with Monsieur Malberg?" "Yes, but he sleeps in his own lodgings." "Don't let him say a word of this to--to Monsieur Malberg." "Never you fear; indeed, he probably won't see him until after he sees you." "Until to-morrow then, and both of you." "We will be there, monsieur." "By the way, bring a cab with you; don't forget." "A cab, all right, monsieur." The next morning at half-past seven, Roncherolle was up and dressed and was cleaning a pair of pistols, which, despite his destitution, he had always kept. At a few minutes before eight, the door was opened softly and Chicotin appeared, accompanied by Georget. The latter, instead of a blouse, wore a short coat buttoned to his chin, and on his head a blue cloth cap of stylish shape; he held himself very erect, and his new costume heightened the attractiveness of his face and the grace of his figure. Roncherolle could not help admiring the fine appearance of the young man, and he offered him his hand, which Georget took with an air of respect. "Here we are, bourgeois," said Chicotin; "I hope we haven't kept you waiting; I bring Georget, as you see, and the cab is downstairs." "That is very good, my boy. Monsieur Georget, I thank you for coming here at my invitation; when you know what is on foot, I am sure that you will not be sorry." "I am very happy, monsieur, if I can be of use to you in any way; I know you already through Violette, whom you were kind enough to visit when she was sick; and Chicotin told me----" "I told him that this morning's business had something to do with her; but monsieur will explain the whole thing to us, and tell us why----" "You are in a great hurry; the most important thing now is to start; and especially to avoid meeting my little neighbor on the stairs, for she would ask questions which we could not very well answer at this moment." "Oh! it's only eight o'clock; it's cold too, and Violette doesn't go out so early in such weather." "Very well, let us start, young men."