"Really!" exclaimed the poor girl, clapping her hands with joy. "Oh, if you knew how delighted I am to hear you say so! Then you will begin from to-day to lay by the forty sous we were talking about, will you? Will you, indeed?"
"I give you my honour that, from this very hour, I will resolve to follow up your most excellent plan, and save forty sous out of each day's pay."
"Nay, have I not promised you that I will?"
"You will see how proud and happy you will be with your first savings; and that is not all--ah, if you would promise not to be angry!"
"Do I look as though I could be so unkind, Fleur-de-Marie, as to find fault with anything you said?"
"Oh, no, indeed, that you do not; only I hardly know whether I ought--"
"You ought to tell me everything you think or feel, Fleur-de-Marie."
"Well, then, I was wondering how _you_, who, it is easily seen, are above your condition, can frequent such low cabarets as that kept by the ogress."
"Had I not done so, I should not have had the pleasure of wandering in the fields with you to-day, my dear Fleur-de-Marie."
"That is, indeed, true, M. Rodolph; but, still, it does not alter my first opinion. No, much as I enjoy to-day's treat, I would cheerfully give up all thoughts of ever passing such another if I thought it could in any way injure you."
"Injure me! Far from it! Think of the excellent advice you have been giving me."
"I have; and I pledge my word of honour to save henceforward at least forty sous a day." Thus speaking, Rodolph called out to the driver of their vehicle, who was passing the village of Sarcelles, "Take the first road to the right, cross Villiers to Bel, turn to the left, then keep along quite straight."
"Now," said Rodolph, turning to his companion, "that I am a good boy, and promised to do all you tell me, let us go back to our diversion of building castles in the air: that does not run away with much money. You will not object to such a method of amusing myself, will you?"
"Oh, no, build as many as you like, they are very cheaply raised, and very easily knocked down when you are tired of them. Now, then, you begin."
"Well, then--No! Fleur-de-Marie, you shall build up yours first."
"I wonder if you could guess what I should choose, if wishing were all, M. Rodolph."