Pleasure at the "Hotel du Roule" was measured by the hour.
I whispered to Patu, and, after a few philosophical considerations, addressing himself to madame la gouvernante, he said to her, "We will have a double dose, and of course pay double." "You are quite welcome, gentlemen." We went upstairs, and after we had made our choice a second time, we renewed our promenade in the garden.

But once more we were disagreeably surprised by the strict punctuality of the lady of the house.

"Indeed! this is too much of a good thing, madam." "Let us go up for the third time, make a third choice, and pass the whole night here." "A delightful idea which I accept with all my heart." "Does Madame Paris approve our plan ?" "I could not have devised a better one, gentlemen; it is a masterpiece." When we were in the room, and after we had made a new choice, the girls laughed at the first ones who had not contrived to captivate us, and by way of revenge these girls told their companions that we were lanky fellows.
This time I was indeed astonished at my own choice.

I had taken a true Aspasia, and I thanked my stars that I had passed her by the first two times, as I had now the certainty of possessing her for fourteen hours.
That beauty's name was Saint Hilaire; and under that name she became famous in England, where she followed a rich lord the year after.

At first, vexed because I had not remarked her before, she was proud and disdainful; but I soon proved to her that it was fortunate that my first or second choice had not fallen on her, as she would now remain longer with me.