It was in the Rue des France-Bourgeois, close to La Force.

As I expected, my officer was there.

I went up to him as he was singing a love ditty and looking tenderly at a lady, and interrupted him exactly in the middle of the second couplet.

'Monsieur,' said I, 'does it still displease you that I should frequent a certain house of La Rue Payenne?
And would you still cane me if I took it into my head to disobey you?
The officer looked at me with astonishment, and then said, 'What is your business with me, monsieur?
I do not know you.' 'I am,' said I, 'the little abbe who reads LIVES OF THE SAINTS, and translates Judith into verse.' 'Ah, ah! I recollect now,' said the officer, in a jeering tone; 'well, what do you want with me ?' 'I want you to spare time to take a walk with me.' 'Tomorrow morning, if you like, with the greatest pleasure.' 'No, not tomorrow morning, if you please, but immediately.' 'If you absolutely insist.' 'I do insist upon it.' 'Come, then.

Ladies,' said the officer, 'do not disturb yourselves; allow me time just to kill this gentleman, and I will return and finish the last couplet.' "We went out.