"The man who has never known poverty has never known his fellow-man," he mused; "I would have sworn for Bonvoisin. He has inspired me with an apophthegm, however--let us give Bonvoisin his due! And, to take a rosy view of things, turkeys are very indigestible birds, and, since I lack the fuel to cook it, I am spared the fatigue of going out to buy one for my mahogany to-morrow. Really there is much to be thankful for--the only embarrassment is to know where it is to be found. If I knew where enough tobacco for a cigarette was to be found, I would be thankful for that also. How the Mediterranean sparkles, and how hot the sun is, to be sure! We shall get freckles, she and I. Won't you spare me half of your beautiful sunshade, Frisonnette? Upon my word, I could grow light-headed, with a little encouragement; I could imagine that the steps I hear on the staircase now are hers! Fortunately, I have too much self-control to let fancy fool me." Nevertheless, as he leant listening, his face was blanched. The steps drew nearer. "I know, of course, they go to the room on the other side; a moment more, and they will pass," he told himself, holding his breath. But the steps halted, and a timid tap came. "It is a child with a bill--the laundress's child. I know thoroughly it is the laundress's child--I do not hope!" he lied, tearing the door open. And Frisonnette stood there, asking to come in. "I have run away," she quavered. Her teeth were chattering, and her fashionable coat was caked with snow. "I should have come long ago--only, I was ashamed." "You are real?" said Floromond, touching her. "You are not a dream?" "Every day I have longed to be back with you, and at last I could bear no more. Do you think you might forgive me if you tried?" "There is a tear on your cheek, and your dear little nose is pink with the cold, and the snow has taken your feathers out of curl," he answered, laughing and crying. "Let us pretend there are logs blazing up the chimney, and we will draw one chair to the hearth and tell each other how miserable we have been--or better than that, how happy we are!" But still she clung to him, shivering and condemning herself. "And so," she repeated, "I ran away. It is a habit I am acquiring. Finot is furious; he has dismissed me; I have no job and no money. I have come back with nothing, my Floromond, but the clothes I stand up in. And--and why do I find you with an empty coal-scuttle?" "Ma foi!" he stammered, loath to deepen her distress, "as usual, that imbecile of a charbonnier has neglected to fulfil the order." "He becomes intolerable," she faltered. "Is that why I notice that your tobacco-pouch is empty, too?" "Oh, as for the tobacco-pouch," said the young man, "in this ferocious weather I have been reluctant to put on my hat."