Paris and Holland | Page 8

and I am
sorry I have got it though I was an accomplice in the theft."
"What! the money is stolen?"
"Yes, sharping is done here, and I have been taught to help. I share in
their ill-gotten gains because I have not the strength of mind to refuse.
My landlady and two or three women of the same sort pluck the
pigeons. The business does not suit me, and I am thinking of leaving it.
Sooner or later I shall kill or be killed, and either event will be the
death of me, so I am thinking of leaving this cutthroat place as soon as
possible."
"I advise you--nay, I bid you do so by all means, and I should think you
had better be gone to-day than to-morrow."
"I don't want to do anything suddenly, as M. le Noir is a gentleman and
my friend, and he thinks me a cousin to this wretched woman. As he
knows nothing of the infamous trade she carries on, he would suspect
something, and perhaps would leave her after learning the reason of my
departure. I shall find some excuse or other in the course of the next
five or six days, and then I will make haste and return to you."
The Lambertini thanked me for coming to dinner in a friendly manner,
and told me that we should have the company of Mdlle. de la Meure
and her aunt. I asked her if she was still satisfied with my friend
"Sixtimes," and she told me that though the count did not always reside
on his manor, she was for all that delighted with him; and said she,
"I am too good a monarch to ask too much of my vassals."
I congratulated her, and we continued to jest till the arrival of the two
other guests.

As soon as Mdlle. de la Meure saw me she could scarcely conceal her
pleasure. She was in half mourning, and looked so pretty in this
costume, which threw up the whiteness of her skin, that I still wonder
why that instant did not determine my fate.
Tiretta, who had been making his toilette, rejoined us, and as nothing
prevented me from shewing the liking I had taken for the amiable girl I
paid her all possible attention. I told the aunt that I found her niece so
pretty that I would renounce my bachelorhood if I could find such a
mate.
"My niece is a virtuous and sweet-tempered 'girl, sir, but she is utterly
devoid either of intelligence or piety."
"Never mind the intelligence," said the niece, "but I was never found
wanting in piety at the convent."
"I dare say the nuns are of the jesuitical party."
"What has that got to do with it, aunt?"
"Very much, child; the Jesuits and their adherents are well known to
have no vital religion. But let us talk of something else. All that I want
you to do is to know how to please your future husband."
"Is mademoiselle about to marry, then?"
"Her intended will probably arrive at the beginning of next month."
"Is he a lawyer?"
"No, sir; he is a well-to-do merchant."
"M. le Noir told me that your niece was the daughter of a councillor,
and I did not imagine that you would sanction her marrying beneath
her."
"There will be no question of such a thing in this instance, sir; and,
after all, what is marrying beneath one? My niece's intended is an

honest, and therefore a noble, man, and I am sure it will be her fault if
she does not lead a life of perfect happiness with him"
"Quite so, supposing she loves him."
"Oh! love and all that kind of thing will come in good time, you know."
As these remarks could only give pain to the young lady, who listened
in silence, I changed the conversation to the enormous crowd which
would be present at the execution of Damien, and finding them
extremely desirous of witnessing this horrible sight I offered them a
large window with an excellent view. The ladies accepted with great
pleasure, and I promised to escort them in good time.
I had no such thing as a window, but I knew that in Paris, as
everywhere, money will procure anything. After dinner I went out on
the plea of business, and, taking the first coach I came across, in a
quarter of an hour I succeeded in renting a first floor window in
excellent position for three louis. I paid in advance, taking care to have
a receipt.
My business over, I hastened to rejoin the company, and found them
engaged in piquet. Mdlle. de la Meure, who knew nothing about it, was
tired of looking on. I came up to her,