If I had not employed this infallible remedy, the annoyance which this note caused me would have disturbed my nerves all night, and when I do not sleep my complexion is more leaden than usual and I have dark rings under my eyes." "Fop!" "Simpleton!" "Why simpleton ?" "Do you take me for a dandy?
Do you not understand why I wish to sleep soundly?
It is simply because I do not wish to appear before her with a face like a ghost.

That would be all that was needed to encourage her in her severity.

I shall take good care that she does not discover how hard her last thrust has hit me.

I would give you a one-hundred-franc note if I could secure for to-morrow morning your alderman's face and your complexion a la Teniers." "Thanks, we are not masquerading just at present." "Nevertheless, all that you have said does not prove in the slightest that she loves you." "My dear Marillac, words may have escaped me in my anger which have caused you to judge hastily.

Now that I am calm and that my remedy has brought back my nervous system to its normal state, I will explain to you my real position.