human
Monsieur, I did not stop you to ask for alms. You do not seem to remember me, M. Savarin.
gpt
But I do, said Lemercier,
human
Ah, excuse me, _le petit_ Frederic, said Julie with a sickly attempt at coquettish sprightliness;
gpt
I had no eyes except for M. Savarin.
human
And why only for me, my poor child?
gpt
Hush! She drew him aside.
human
Because you can give me news of that monster Gustave. It is not true, it cannot be true, that he is going to be married?
gpt
Nay, surely, Mademoiselle, all connection between you and young Rameau has ceased for months--ceased from the date of that illness in July which nearly carried him off.
human
I resigned him to the care of his mother, said the girl;
gpt
My poor girl, don't be _mechante_. It is quite true that Gustave Rameau is engaged to be married; and any attempt of yours to create scandal--
human
Monsieur, interrupted Julie, vehemently,
gpt
Mademoiselle, cried Savarin, angrily,
human
Then--repentant of rudeness to one so young and so desolate--he added, in mild expostulatory accents:
gpt
Come, come, _ma belle enfant_, be reasonable: Gustave is no loss. He is reduced to poverty.
human
So much the better. When he was well off I never cost him more than a supper at the _Maison Doree_; and if he is poor he shall marry me, and I will support him!
gpt
You!--and how?
human
By my profession when peace comes; and meanwhile I have offers from a _cafe_ to recite warlike songs. Ah! you shake your head incredulously. The ballet-dancer recite verses? Yes! he taught me to recite his own _Soyez bon pour moi_. M. Savarin! do say where I can find _mon homme_.
gpt
No.
human
That is your last word?
gpt
It is.
human
Is that the way you console yourself for the absence of Madame?
gpt
Fie! cried Savarin, indignantly;
human
French gallantry has always admitted that truth, said Lemercier.
gpt
Fox, Fox, Fox. Uttering this cry, he darted forward after the dog, who had strayed a few yards to salute another dog led by a string, and caught the animal in his arms.
human
Pardon me, he exclaimed, returning to his friends,
gpt
I thought, said Savarin,
human
That was while the beef lasted; but since we have come to cats, who shall predict immunity to dogs? _Quid intactum nefasti linquimus_? Nothing is sacred from the hand of rapine.
gpt
I don't wish you to accompany me, Messieurs, said Lemercier, apologetically,
human
To pray? asked De Breze, in profound astonishment.
gpt
Not exactly; but I want to speak to my friend Rochebriant, and I know I shall find him there.
human
Praying?
gpt
Yes.
human
That is curious--a young Parisian exquisite at prayer--that is worth seeing. Let us enter, too, Savarin.