Here  is  the  ticket !"

"Oh!  here,  the  aflfair  is  becoming  tragic,*'  cried  the  fair
H61oise.    'T^hat  isitall  about?"

"Madame  drops  down  upon  us  like "

*Tjike  a  dancer,"  said*  H^lo'ise;  *let  me  prompt  you, —
missus !"

"Come,  I  am  busy,"  said  Gaudissart.  'The  joke  has  gone
far  enough.  H^loise,  this  is  M.  Pons'  confidential  servant;
she  has  come  to  tell  me  that  I  must  not  count  upon  him;
our  poor  conductor  is  not  expected  to  live.  I  don't  Imow  what
to  do."

"Oh !  poor  man ;  why,  he  must  have  a  benefit."

"It  would  ruin  him,"  said  Gaudissart.  "He  might  find
next  day  that  he  owed  five  hundred  francs  to  charitable  insti-
tutions, and  they  refuse  to  admit  that  there  are  any  sufferers
in  Paris  except  their  own.  No,  look  here,  my  good  woman,
since  you  are  going  in  for  the  Montyon  prize "

He  broke  off,  rang  the  bell,  and  the  youth  before  mentioned
suddenly  appeared.
Digitized  by


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COUSIN  PONS  IttJ

'*Tell  the  cashier  to  send  me  up  a  thousand-franc  note. —
Sit  down,  madame/'

**Ah !  poor  woman,  look,  she  is  crying !"  exclaimed  H61oise.
