I hoped that he would not be exorbitant, for I had but one more and some loose napoleons in my pocket.
"What was the conversation about ?" I asked.
He put out his hand for the note; but I kept my grasp on it.

Honesty was not written large--no, nor plain to read--on Bontet's fat face.
"I heard little of it; but the young lady said, as they hurried upstairs: 'Where is he?
Where is he ?'" "Yes, yes!" And I held out the note to him.

He had earned it.

And greedily he clutched it, and stowed it in his breeches pocket under his blouse.
"I heard no more; they hurried her up; the old lady had her by one arm and the duke by the other.

She looked distressed--why, I know not; for I suppose"-- here a sly grin spread over the fellow's face--"that the pretty present I saw is for her." "It's the property of the duke," I said.
"But gentlemen sometimes make presents to ladies," he suggested.
"It may be his purpose to do so.