"Mon Dieu! did I make a fool of myself? Isn't your friend your friend any longer?" "Yes, you did make a fool of yourself; but I hope that you won't do it again; meanwhile, you are responsible for my having to leave this house, which, however, I hardly regret." "Are you going to move?" "Yes, in a few days, as soon as I can walk. But I don't propose to take furnished lodgings again; he would find me, he would visit them all. I mean to hire a room in some quiet house, and furnish it myself. That won't take long; a bed, a table, two chairs and a bureau, that is all that I need. Listen, Chicotin, while I am unable to go about, you must find those things for me, so that I shall simply have to move in as soon as I am cured. Do you understand,--just a small apartment, as neat and clean as possible; a bedroom and a study, that will be enough for me." "All right, bourgeois, I understand; I'll look about for you. In what quarter?" "I don't care." "Oh! then I can find something easier. How much do you want to pay for your lodgings?" "Hum! as little as possible; the funds are decreasing every day, my boy!" "Do you want to go as high as eighty francs?" "A quarter?" "Oh, no! What next! I mean for a year." "You can get nothing better than a garret, a kennel for that price. You may go as high as two hundred francs,--two hundred and fifty." "In that case, bourgeois, I'll find you something fine, a little palace; I propose that you shall be more comfortable than you are now." "You won't have much difficulty about that; try not to make me go up too many stairs." "Pardi! for two hundred and fifty francs you ought to be able to obtain a magnificent lodging on the first floor." "I don't think it. However, attend to it at once." Three days after this conversation, Chicotin entered Roncherolle's room with a triumphant air; he found him getting better, and walking about the room. "Here I am, bourgeois, I've found what you want. I think you'll be satisfied; but lodgings are dearer than I thought; I couldn't find a lodging on the first floor for your two hundred and fifty francs." "Well, what have you found?" "I have found two pleasant little rooms, for two hundred francs, no more; fresh paper, not colored, but you can put one on; and a view--oh! such a view! as good as if you was on the Arc de Triomphe; and all the conveniences right at your door; and a waxed staircase, not up to the top, but as far as the third floor." "What floor is this apartment on?" "Why, on the fifth, bourgeois!" "Sacrebleu! I am not surprised that there is a good view; is that what you call getting me a lodging near the ground?" "There ain't any to be had, master; but the stairs are as easy as can be; you can go up without moving your legs; and then there is a concierge who is willing to do the housework for all the tenants, at a very moderate price, and even to make the coffee." "There are many advantages, and no mistake; where is this jewel of an apartment situated?"