'I leave him!' I always answer, 'a poor innocent like that?
I think I see myself! what would become of him?
No, no, where the kid is tethered, let her browse--'" "Yes, Flore; I've none but you in this world, and you make me happy.
If it will give you pleasure, my dear, well, we will have Maxence Gilet here; he can eat with us--" "Heavens! I should hope so!" "There, there! don't get angry--" "Enough for one is enough for two," she answered laughing.

"I'll tell you what you can do, my lamb, if you really mean to be kind; you must go and walk up and down near the Mayor's office at four o'clock, and manage to meet Monsieur Gilet and invite him to dinner.

If he makes excuses, tell him it will give me pleasure; he is too polite to refuse.

And after dinner, at dessert, if he tells you about his misfortunes, and the hulks and so forth--for you can easily get him to talk about all that--then you can make him the offer to come and live here.

If he makes any objection, never mind, I shall know how to settle it." Walking slowly along the boulevard Baron, the old celibate reflected, as much as he had the mind to reflect, over this incident.