After this outburst of merriment she quieted down a little, and gave her companions a brief, history of her adventures since she had parted from them, declaring that the marquis had invariably treated her with the courtesy and generosity of a prince.
But in spite of it all she had longed for her old wandering life with the troupe, the excitement of acting, and the rounds of applause she never failed to win; and at last she confessed to the marquis that she was pining for her role of soubrette.
"'Very well,' he said to me, 'you can take your mules and your belongings and go in pursuit of the troupe, and I will shortly follow in pursuit of you.

I have some matters to look after in Paris, that have been neglected of late, and I have been too long absent from the court.
You will permit me to applaud you I suppose, and truth to tell I shall be very glad to enjoy your bewitching acting again.' So I told him I would look for him among the audience every evening till he made his appearance, and, after the most tender leave-taking, I jumped on my mule and caught you up here at the Armes de France, as you know." "But," said Herode, "suppose your marquis should not turn up at all! you would be regularly sold." This idea struck Zerbine as being so utterly absurd that she threw herself back and laughed until she had to hold her sides, and was fairly breathless.

"The marquis not come!" she cried, when she could speak, "you had better engage rooms for him right away--not come! Why my fear was that he would overtake me on the road; you will see him very soon, I can guarantee.

Ah! you abominable old bear! you doubt the power of my charms, do you?
You're decidedly growing stupid, Herode, as you grow old; you used to be rather clever than otherwise." At this moment appeared Leander and Scapin, who had heard of Zerbine's arrival from the servants, and came to pay their respects, soon followed by old Mme.

Leonarde, who greeted the soubrette with as much obsequiousness as if she had-been a princess.