The
newcomer was passably pretty. She addressed herself to Lucien.
"Sir," she said, "I know why you cry up Mlle. Virginie's hats so much;
and I have come to put down my name for a year's subscription in the
first place; but tell me your conditions----"
"I am not connected with the paper, madame."
"Oh!"
"A subscription dating from October?" inquired the pensioner.
"What does the lady want to know?" asked the veteran, reappearing on
the scene.
The fair milliner and the retired military man were soon deep in
converse; and when Lucien, beginning to lose patience, came back to
the first room, he heard the conclusion of the matter.
"Why, I shall be delighted, quite delighted, sir. Mlle. Florentine can
come to my shop and choose anything she likes. Ribbons are in my
department. So it is all quite settled. You will say no more about
Virginie, a botcher that cannot design a new shape, while I have ideas
of my own, I have."
Lucien heard a sound as of coins dropping into a cashbox, and the
veteran began to make up his books for the day.
"I have been waiting here for an hour, sir," Lucien began, looking not
a little annoyed.
"And 'they' have not come yet!" exclaimed Napoleon's veteran, civilly
feigning concern. "I am not surprised at that. It is some time since I
have seen 'them' here.
Pages:
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142