As he walked down Boulevard Montmartre, Auguste felt a light touch on his arm. He turned; Mademoiselle Virginie stood before him. "I am very lucky to meet you, monsieur," she said, looking at Auguste with a certain expression in which there was something most seductive; indeed, Mademoiselle Virginie made many conquests, because she had adopted the habit of imparting that alluring expression to her eyes; and although Auguste knew her glances by heart, he still took delight in looking at her, especially when it was a long time since her lovely black eyes had been fastened upon him. "Oh! although you look at me with a smile," she continued, "that doesn't prevent me from being horribly angry with you." "Really? you are angry with me?" "Monsieur, I beg you not to address me so familiarly! Have we ever been on intimate terms?" As she spoke, Mademoiselle Virginie burst into a roar of laughter that caused several passers-by to turn their heads; for in Paris very little is required to attract the attention of the passers-by. In fact, there was one man who stopped, and who, presumably because he had never in his life heard anyone laugh, was about to ask Virginie what the matter was; but a glance from Auguste led him to walk on. "You make me laugh, when I haven't the slightest inclination to," said Virginie, suddenly assuming a most serious air. "What's the matter with you? Come, tell me your troubles; you know very well that I am your friend." "My friend! oh, yes! You are just nothing at all! A pretty friend, to go two months without seeing me!" "It wasn't my fault--I have been busy." "Indeed! busy, eh? I know what kind of business. The blonde of the third floor, and the lady in the country, and this one, and the other one! It's no use talking, you're a thorough scamp, you're not a bit agreeable any more! You used to be agreeable to me now and then." "Why didn't you come to see me?" "Oh! I say! do you think I haven't anything else to do but that? Don't I have to work?" "Ah! you work, do you?" "Indeed I do; I have reformed now, I never go out." "Do you still live in the same place?" "No, I have moved." "Why, you do nothing but move." "Really, my dear, I have sold my furniture." "Sold your furniture? What a pity!" "Listen to me; I couldn't live on nut shells, could I?" "No, they wouldn't be good for the stomach; but as you are working----" "Oh, yes! it's very amusing; work a whole day to earn fifteen sous! Mon Dieu! how I wish I were a man!" "What for?" "So as not to be a woman. I know that there are some women who are happy, who swim in pleasure, who have feathers and velvet caps! Ah! a velvet cap's becoming to me; I tried one on at a friend's. I propose to have one this winter, all velvet, with gold tassels." "With your fifteen sous a day?" "Go on! No, but I sold my furniture because I owed some money; I was four terms behind with my rent, and I had to pay." "Why, I should say that, the term before the last, I----"