"
"And won't she consent?" asked Mathieu.
"Oh! she told me that I was mad; and there's some truth in that, for I
have no money even to rent a room. Ah! if you only knew how it distresses
me."
Mathieu concealed his emotion, and resumed in his quiet way: "Well, there
are rooms to be rented. And you would find a friend to help you. Only I
am much afraid that you will never persuade your sister to keep her
child, for I fancy that I know her ideas on that subject. A miracle would
be needed to change them."
Quick-witted as she was, Cecile darted a glance at him. The friend he
spoke of was himself. Good heavens would her dream come true? She ended
by bravely saying: "Listen, monsieur; you are so kind that you really
ought to do me a last favor. It would be to come with me and see Norine
at once. You alone can talk to her and prevail on her perhaps. But let us
walk slowly, for I am stifling, I feel so happy."
Mathieu, deeply touched, walked on beside her. They turned the corner of
the Rue de Miromesnil, and his own heart began to beat as they climbed
the stairs of Madame Bourdieu's establishment. Ten years ago! Was it
possible? He recalled everything that he had seen and heard in that
house.
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