Auguste, touched by Léonie's apparent suffering, succeeded in tranquillizing the pretty blonde, who consented at last to make peace with her neighbor on condition that she should never again meet in his rooms that woman who had made impertinent speeches to her, and the mere sight of whom would throw her into hysterics. Auguste promised; in love, as in politics, one always makes more promises than one intends to keep. But Léonie was still pensive and preoccupied. "Something is troubling you," said Auguste. "No; oh, no! nothing, I assure you," replied the pretty blonde, in a tone which meant the exact opposite. "But it is perfectly evident to me that you are concealing something from me." "Why, no, you are mistaken; at all events it doesn't concern you at all." As we are always anxious to know what does not concern us, Auguste became more insistent; he demanded that she should tell him all, whereupon Madame Saint-Edmond confessed in a low, silvery voice that a milliner, to whom she had owed two thousand francs for a long time, had forced her to give him a note; that that note would come due in two days, and that she was sorely embarrassed about paying it. Auguste regretted that he had been so inquisitive; but it was too late to retreat; besides, he was too fond of obliging his friends not to come to his neighbor's assistance. "Send the holder of the note to my apartment," he said; "Bertrand will pay it." Léonie refused; she was afraid of inconveniencing Auguste; she would be terribly distressed to have him think that her selfish interests had any influence upon the sentiment he aroused in her. But Auguste insisted, he did not choose that she should have recourse to others; and Léonie consented at last to allow herself to be accommodated, on condition that it should be considered a loan, which she would repay to her friend. Bertrand leaped backward when Auguste said to him next day: "You will pay Madame Saint-Edmond's note for two thousand francs which the holder will present here." "Two thousand francs for that little minx!" cried the ex-corporal, beating his brow in desperation. "Ah! lieutenant, if this is the way you put your affairs in order!" "No comments, Bertrand; I am only lending Léonie the money, and if I ever find myself in difficulties, I am sure that there is no sacrifice of which that woman would not be capable, to oblige me." "You may believe that, monsieur, but I----" "You will pay the note, Bertrand." "I will pay it, lieutenant." Auguste went out singing, and Bertrand went down to his friend Schtrack's, to question his wife. Bertrand paid the note and Léonie was more loving than ever with Auguste. But one morning, when she did not expect him, Dalville found in his neighbor's room a little man, who instantly took his leave with a very low bow, which Madame Saint-Edmond barely acknowledged, dismissing her gentleman in a very curt tone. "Who is that man?" Auguste inquired when the stranger had gone.