"The deuce you have! however did you do it? You can hardly walk!"
"I could walk a few days ago, and if it hadn't been for an infernal dinner--but faith, I guess I won't curse that dinner, for I enjoyed myself hugely; and after all, if I suffer, I suffer for something; let us return to the lady; the Baronne de Grangeville lives on Rue Fontaine-Saint-Georges, number 21 or 23; I am not quite sure of the number but it's in the twenties."
"Oh! that's enough, bourgeois; that's all I need; if necessary, I will try all the houses in the street."
"Very good; now take this five-franc piece; you will go and buy a bouquet for which you will pay three francs, no less, understand; don't try to cheat me."
"Oh! never you fear, bourgeois, that's all right; if the flower girl should ask only forty sous, I would give her three francs."
"But I should prefer that the girl should ask three francs; the bouquet will be finer."
"It's all right; never you fear, the bouquet will be a good one."
"When you have got it, you will take it to Madame de Grangeville from me, and you will tell her that Monsieur de Roncherolle sends his respects and that he will come to see her as soon as he can go out."
"I will say when you get over your gout."
"No, don't mention my gout, that isn't necessary. Say to her that I am indisposed; that is all, do you understand?"
"Yes, bourgeois, never fear; it will all go as if it was on wheels; and shall I come back and tell you what answer the lady gives me?"
"I am off. By the way, bourgeois, perhaps you don't know, but no doubt you will soon receive a visit from a friend of yours; that happens just right; you are sick and it will amuse you."
"I mean that yesterday, no longer ago than that, I saw my old comrade Georget, a good fellow, who's in the dumps all the time because he's in love. But that's another story; it would take too long to tell you."
"I will excuse you from telling it, but come to the point at once."
"Well, while we were talking, I mentioned your name; it happens that his master at Nogent knows you and would like to see you; he didn't know your address, so I gave it to Georget."
"What is the name of this gentleman at Nogent?"
"I don't know anybody by that name; your comrade must have made a mistake and taken one name for another. But go about your errand to Madame de Grangeville, and above all things buy a pretty bouquet."