human
And then, continued Bastringuette, rearranging her bouquets,
gpt
Oho! so Monsieur Sans-Cravate does fine things, does he? sneered Célestin.
human
I've never read of any of them in the newspapers.
gpt
The newspapers! they're great authority! Run by people who lie from New Year's Day to Saint-Sylvestre, and make up a lot of stories without any head or tail, that would drive you crazy if you believed 'em all. That's what happened to my poor mother. She didn't know any better than to stuff her head full of what a lot of papers said. She read 'em in the concierge's room, at all the neighbors', and at the grocer's, and she used to say to us every day: 'Things are going wrong, children; the people are very discontented; there'll be an upset before long, for a body won't be able to sneeze without having to pay a tax to the government, and that will make it very expensive for people with colds in their heads. Bread will go to thirty sous a loaf, and we shan't be able to go out next winter without being murdered, and perhaps worse.'--'Well, then, mother,' I'd say, 'we'll just stay in the house, and eat potatoes if we can't get bread.'--But all that stuff turned her brain, I tell you; she died in six months; and the doctor himself said: 'Your mother died of indigestion caused by _canards_ [ducks],' and the nonsense they stuff the newspapers with is canards. But here I am chattering like a magpie, and that don't sell my flowers.
human
Here, said Albert, handing the girl a five-franc piece,
gpt
Ah! thanks, my little darling! you're a nice boy, you are; that makes up for some of those who ain't!
human
Buy flowers, messieurs and mesdames! buy some pretty violets! The spring has come; buy flowers for your ladies!
gpt
She's no fool, said Albert, looking after her as she walked away;
human
That is to say, rejoined Célestin,
gpt
Messieurs, said Albert,
human
Do you make that proposition seriously?
gpt
Most seriously, I assure you! I have never been in love with Madame Plays; I paid court to her, purely as a joke, to play a trick on Saint-Clair; but my one desire now is to break with my fair conquest.
human
Really, Madame Plays is very attractive! rejoined Monsieur Tobie, throwing away the end of his cigar;
gpt
In that case, you would be served to your taste,
human
But to take your place at a rendezvous; how the devil can that be arranged?
gpt
Nothing easier, said Albert.
human
I am to be at the flower market on Boulevard de la Madeleine--near the church, you know--at half-past eight this evening.
gpt
I know the place very well; I often walk there on market days. Some very distinguished women come there--women in carriages; I have noticed that the flowers were only a pretext, and that they came there for other things than orange blossoms and camellias.
human
Very good; Madame Plays will be there. I will give you a little note for her, in which I will say that some unexpected business may detain me a little while, but that I send her one of my friends, whose discretion is unquestionable, and who will escort her to a place where I will join her as soon as I possibly can. With that note, you will go to the rendezvous in my place, you will hand the note to Madame Plays, and take her where you choose, pretending that it is a place selected by me, and that you are to stay with her, for company, until I come. I fail to appear, the lady is furious with me, and you console her. Faith! it seems to me that that will go of itself.
gpt
It's an intrigue all cut and dried for you,
human
Do you think Madame Plays will accept my escort? he asked;
gpt
Don't be alarmed, my dear Tobie; I know the person I am sending you to; of course, I wouldn't do this with all women; but I know Madame Plays; she's a jade who snaps her fingers at what people may say, and is proud of her conquests. The fair Herminie is almost a man in petticoats.
human
The devil! I hope that that is true only with respect to her moral qualities.
gpt
Never fear; physically, she is superbly feminine. Her husband pays no sort of heed to what she does. Indeed, she leads him by the nose. If she should tell him that the obelisk of Luxor had made her a mother, he would believe it, or would pretend to; if she takes a fancy to you, the affair is done.
human
Oh! in that case, I have some chance of success. I accept; faith! yes, I accept; I will try the experiment; he who sows, reaps. Sapristi! no one can deny that we are sad rakes; I have several mistresses already, but the fair Plays tempts me.
gpt
I give you my word that she is a very agreeable woman--pretty face, well built, solid as a rock! in short, everything that can tempt an amateur. If I had nothing else in my head just now, I would not have left her so quickly.--So it's a bargain. Now, I must give you the note you are to hand her. It is exactly like giving a letter of recommendation.