human
Heavens! no, it is too early. But I am excessively hungry. I had only a quarter of jugged cat for breakfast, and the brute was tough. In reply to your question, may I put another--Did you lay in plenty of stores?
gpt
Stores? no; I am a bachelor, and rely on the stores of my married friends.
human
Poor De Breze! I sympathise with you, for I am in the same boat, and dinner invitations have become monstrous rare.
gpt
Oh, but you are so confoundedly rich! What to you are forty francs for a rabbit, or eighty francs for a turkey?
human
Well, I suppose I am rich, but I have no money, and the ungrateful restautrants will not give me credit. They don't believe in better days.
gpt
How can you want money?
human
Very naturally. I had invested my capital famously-the best speculations--partly in house rents, partly in company shares; and houses pay no rents, and nobody will buy company shares. I had 1,000 napoleons on hand, it is true, when Duplessis left Paris--much more, I thought, than I could possibly need, for I never believed in the siege. But during the first few weeks I played at whist with bad luck, and since then so many old friends have borrowed of me that I doubt if I have 200 francs left. I have despatched four letters to Duplessis by pigeon and balloon, entreating him to send me 25,000 francs by some trusty fellow who will pierce the Prussian lines. I have had two answers: 1st, that he will find a man; 2nd, that the man is found and on his way. Trust to that man, my dear friend, and meanwhile lend me 200 francs.
gpt
That is a fact, and we will dine together to-day at my expense; limited liability, though--eight francs a head.
human
Generous Monsieur, I accept. Meanwhile let us take a turn towards the Madeleine.
gpt
Why, said De Breze,
human
I thought you had left Paris with Madame.
gpt
So I did, and deposited her safely with the Morleys at Boulogne. These kind Americans were going to England, and they took her with them. But I quit Paris! No: I am old; I am growing obese. I have always been short-sighted. I can neither wield a sword nor handle a musket. But Paris needs defenders; and every moment I was away from her I sighed to myself, '_ il faut etre la_!' I returned before the Vandals had possessed themselves of our railways, the _convoi_ overcrowded with men like myself, who had removed wives and families; and when we asked each other why we went back, every answer was the same, '_il faut etre la_.' No, poor child, no--I have nothing to give you.