"That's a pity! A business like mine is the thing! it always goes right on. Leather will never go out of fashion--it's like bread." "It is precisely the same thing. So you are well off, are you?" "Why, I am very comfortable." Bertrand noticed that Madame Florimont raised her hood in order to see the tradesman better; whereupon he said nothing more, but looked off into the country so as not to interfere with his neighbor's ogling of the young woman, which she received with a smile, probably to gratify him. They reached the place where they were to pass the night. Bertrand had not as yet mentioned his project to Auguste, but chance seemed to favor him. On leaving the wagon, the young man was attacked by a violent sick-headache, and immediately upon entering the inn went to his room to lie down, telling Madame Florimont to order whatever she pleased. Bertrand made an excuse for leaving the tradesman alone with their travelling companion; he went out to walk and did not return until very late. The tradesman was alone, admiring himself in a mirror. "Well?" queried Bertrand. "You can pay me the fifty crowns." "Do you mean it?" "It's all arranged: at daybreak to-morrow I abduct your charmer; she is to tell your companion that he can lie abed as we don't start till ten o'clock." "Morbleu! a victory wouldn't give me more pleasure! My poor master! I would like so much to see him become more reasonable! to see him get over his nonsense! I'll treat to a bottle--two bottles over and above the bargain." "I accept." "So she didn't make any very great resistance?" "I should say not! I had taken her fancy; besides, she told me that her sense of delicacy wouldn't allow her to travel with a man who is in debt." In his delight, Bertrand ordered several more corks drawn; he paid the tradesman his fifty crowns on the spot, and he did not go to bed, so that he might, unseen, witness Madame Florimont's departure. She rose at daybreak, without waking Auguste, and drove off with the leather dealer. "A pleasant journey!" exclaimed Bertrand as he looked after the wagon. When it was out of sight he ran to Auguste's room and woke him, crying: "Victory, lieutenant! I have driven the enemy from the citadel!" "What's the matter?" inquired Auguste, rubbing his eyes. "The matter is that I have relieved you of your emotional travelling-companion, who went off this morning with our leather man." "Is it possible, Bertrand?" "Why, yes, monsieur; she's gone, I tell you. You are not inclined to run after her, I trust?" "God forbid!--So she has ceased to love me?"