"His proposal is infamous.

He wishes by this step to make you descend to the rank of the vilest creatures, and if you go to him not only will he not give you your things, but he will show you up as a jest to all his comrades.

It is a plot arranged amongst them." "I will not go," said Mimi, and as she saw Amelie engaged in preparing her toilette, she asked her whether she was going to the ball.
"Yes," replied the other.
"With Rodolphe ?" "Yes, he is to wait for me this evening twenty yards or so from here." "I wish you joy," said Mimi, and seeing the hour of the appointment approach, she hurried off to Mademoiselle Amelie's lover, and informed him that the latter was engaged in a little scheme to deceive him with her own old lover.
The gentleman, jealous as a tiger and brutal to boot, called at once on Mademoiselle Amelie, and announced that he would like her to spend the evening in his company.
At eight o'clock Mimi flew to the spot at which Rodolphe was to meet Amelie.

She saw her lover pacing up and down after the fashion of a man waiting for some one, and twice passed close to him without daring to address him.

Rodolphe was very well dressed that evening, and the violent crises through which he had passed during the week had imparted great character on his face.