第490章

THE RIVALS.

Rose-Pompon, whose presence caused such deep emotion in Mdlle.de Cardoville, was dressed in the most showy and extravagant bad taste.Her very small, narrow, rose-colored satin bonnet, placed so forward over her face as almost to touch the tip of her little nose, left uncovered behind half of her light, silky hair; her plaid dress, of an excessively broad pattern, was open in front, and the almost transparent gauze, rather too honest in its revelations, hardly covered the charms of the form beneath.

The grisette having run all the way upstairs, held in her hands the ends of her large blue shawl, which, falling from her shoulders, had slid down to her wasp-like waist, and there been stopped by the swell of the figure.If we enter into these details, it is to explain how, at the sight of this pretty creature, dressed in so impertinent and almost indecent, a fashion, Mdlle.de Cardoville, who thought she saw in her a successful rival, felt her indignation, grief, and shame redoubled.

But judge of the surprise and confusion of Adrienne, when Mdlle.Rose-

Pompon said to her, with the utmost freedom and pertness, "I am delighted to see you, madame.You and I must have a long talk together.Only I must begin by kissing poor Mother Bunch--with your permission, madame!"

To understand the tone and manner with which this word ,"madame" was pronounced, you must have been present at some stormy discussion between two Rose-Pompons, jealous of each other; then you would be able to judge how much provoking hostility may be compressed into the word "madame,"

under certain circumstances.Amazed at the impudence of Rose-Pompon, Mdlle.de Cardoville remained mute; whilst Agricola, entirely occupied with the interest he took in the workgirl, who had never withdrawn her eyes from him since he entered the room, and with the remembrance of the painful scene he had just quitted, whispered to Adrienne, without remarking the grisette's effrontery, "Alas, lady! it is all over.

Cephyse has just breathed her last sigh, without recovering her senses."

"Unfortunate girl!" said Adrienne, with emotion; and for the moment she forgot Rose-Pompon.

"We must keep this sad news from Mother Bunch, and only let her know it hereafter, with great caution," resumed Agricola."Luckily, little Rose-

Pompon knows nothing about it.'

And he pointed to the grisette, who was now stooping down by the side of the workgirl.On hearing Agricola speak so familiarly of Rose-Pompon, Adrienne's amazement increased.It is impossible to describe what she felt; yet, strangely enough, her sufferings grew less and less, and her anxiety diminished, as she listened to the chatter of the grisette.

"Oh, my good dear!" said the latter, with as much volubility as emotion, while her pretty blue eyes were filled with tears; "is it possible that you did so stupid a thing? Do not poor people help one another? Could you not apply to me? You knew that others are welcome to whatever is mine, and I would have made a raffle of Philemon's bazaar," added this singular girl, with a burst of feeling, at once sincere, touching, and grotesque; "I would have sold his three boots, pipes, boating-costume, bed, and even his great drinking-glass, and at all events you should not have been brought to such an ugly pass.Philemon would not have minded, for he is a good fellow; and if he had minded, it would have been all the same.Thank heaven! we are not married.I am only wishing to remind you that you should have thought of little Rose-Pompon."

"I know you are obliging and kind, miss," said Mother Bunch: for she had heard from her sister that Rose-Pompon, like so many of her class, had a warm and generous heart.

"After all," resumed the grisette, wiping with the back of her hand the tip of her little nose, down which a tear was trickling, "you may tell me that you did not know where I had taken up my quarters.It's a queer story, I can tell you.When I say queer," added Rose-Pompon, with a deep sigh, "it is quite the contrary--but no matter: I need not trouble you with that.One thing is certain; you are getting better--and you and Cephyse will not do such a thing again.She is said to be very weak.

Can I not see her yet, M.Agricola?

"No," said the smith, with embarrassment, for Mother Bunch kept her eyes fixed upon him; "you must have patience."

"But I may see her to-day, Agricola?" exclaimed the hunchback.

"We will talk about that.Only be calm, I entreat."

"Agricola is right; you must be reasonable, my good dear," resumed Rose-

Pompon; "we will wait patiently.I can wait too, for I have to talk presently to this lady;" and Rose-Pompon glanced at Adrienne with the expression of an angry cat."Yes, yes; I can wait; for I long to tell Cephyse also that she may reckon upon me." Here Rose-Pompon bridled up very prettily, and thus continued, "Do not be uneasy! It is the least one can do, when one is in a good position, to share the advantages with one's friends, who are not so well off.It would be a fine thing to keep one's happiness to one's self! to stuff it with straw, and put it under a glass, and let no one touch it! When I talk of happiness, it's only to make talk; it is true in one sense; but to another, you see, my good dear--Bah! I am only seventeen--but no matter--I might go on talking till tomorrow, and you would not be any the wiser.So let me kiss you once more, and don't be down-hearted--nor Cephyse either, do you hear? for I shall be close at hand."

And, stooping still lower, Rose-Pompon cordially embraced Mother Bunch.

It is impossible to express what Mdlle.de Cardoville felt during this conversation, or rather during this monologue of the grisette on the subject of the attempted suicide.The eccentric jargon of Mdlle.Rose-