"By no means; never saw you looking better. Indeed, if you are found guilty, you will only have two or three months, imprisonment and twenty-five francs fine. I know the law, you see!" "And these two or three months I shall contrive, I know, to pass quietly in some infirmary. I have a deputy at my elbow." "Oh, then, you're all right." "Yes, Bourdin; and I can scarcely help laughing to think what little good the fools who put me here have done themselves,--they will not recover a sou of the money they claim. They compel me to sell my post,--what do I care?" "True, general; it is only so much the worse for them." "Yes, my boy. And now for the subject on which I was anxious to see you, Bourdin; it is a very delicate affair,--there is a lady in the case!" said Maitre Boulard, with mysterious self-complacency. "Oh, you gay deceiver! But, be it what it may, you may rely on me." "I am greatly interested in the welfare of a young actress at the theatre of the Folies-Dramatiques. I pay her rent; but, you know, the absent are always in the wrong! Alexandrine has applied to me for money. Now I have never been a very gay fellow, but yet I do not like to be made a fool of; so, before I comply, I should like to know if the lady is faithful. I know there is nothing more absurd and uncommon than fidelity, and so you will do me a friendly service if you could just watch her for a few days and let me know your opinion, either by a talk with the porter at her abode or--" "I understand, general," said Bourdin; "this is no worse than watching a debtor. Rely on me; I will have an eye to Mlle. Alexandrine,--although, I should say, you are too generous and too good-looking not to be adored!" "My good looks are no use, my friend, so long as I am absent; and so I rely on you to discover the truth." "Rely on me." "How can I, my dear fellow, prove my gratitude?" "Don't mention it, general." "Pray understand, my dear Bourdin, that your fees in this case will be the same as if you were after an arrest." "I can't allow it, general. As long as I act under your orders, have you not allowed me to shear the debtor to his very skin,--to double, treble, the costs of arrests? And have you not sued for those costs for me as eagerly as if they were due to yourself?" "But, my dear fellow, this is very different; and, in my turn, I declare I will not allow it." "_Mon general_, you will really make me quite ashamed if you do not allow me to make these inquiries as to Mlle. Alexandrine as a poor proof of my gratitude." "Well, well; be it so. I will no longer contend with your generosity; and your devotion will be a sweet reward to me for considerations I have always mixed up in our transactions." "Very good, general; and now we understand each other. Is there anything else I can do for you? You must be very uncomfortable here. I hope you are _a la pistole_ (in a private room)?"