The girl's health had been seriously impaired by the events and the agitation resulting from her journey to Nogent. One does not experience a violent disappointment with impunity; one does not defy the storm and wind without feeling the effects of it. On leaving the coal barge, Violette shivered on her companion's arm, and he noticed it; on reaching her room, the girl had gone to bed at once, and on the next day, despite her earnest desire to attend to her business, it had been impossible for her to rise. Luckily, Mere Lamort was always at the service of her tenants. The concierge passed her time going up and down the six flights of stairs in her house. Her dog kept her lodge, and barked when anyone entered and attempted to ascend the staircase. At that signal from her substitute, Mere Lamort instantly went to the window of the floor where she happened to be, and conversed from there with the persons who came to see some of the tenants. Chicotin, who was now deeply interested in Violette's health, finding that she did not come to the boulevard on the day following the evening when he had prevented her from accomplishing her fatal design, did not fail to go and enquire of the concierge, who replied: "The girl's sick and in bed; I am making her some herb tea, because that breaks up a fever." The young messenger, whom Mere Lamort's information failed to reassure, climbed the six flights rapidly and entered Violette's room; he found her in bed, with the flushed face and hollow, burning eyes which indicate a violent attack of fever. But the girl smiled at Chicotin and offered him her hand, saying in a weak voice: "Thanks, Chicotin, for coming to see me; what you said last night was true; that shower has made me sick; but it won't amount to anything." "Don't you want me to fetch a doctor, mamzelle?" "No, it's not necessary; it won't amount to anything. Besides, the concierge is very kind, she takes good care of me." "She is going to bring you up some herb tea; but I will come every day to find out how you are getting on,--twice a day rather than once." "I don't want to interfere with your work, my friend." "Oh! that won't interfere with me. In fact, I have a customer in your house, just below you,--a gentleman who isn't always steady on his legs; but just at present he seems to walk very well. Would you like me to tell him to come up to see you? You see, he is no fool; he talks better than I do." "Thanks, Chicotin, I don't need any company; I am never bored when I'm alone, for I know how to read, I like to read; and besides that, I have plenty to think about." "But not about such miserable things as you thought about yesterday?" "No, no; that's all over." "Good. I spoke to you about your neighbor because he ain't a young man and it wouldn't make any gossip; but if you don't want him to come--Ah! here's Mere Lamort with a pitcher in each hand. You will have something nice.--Good-by, mamzelle, I'll come again soon."