Page:The Bohemians of the Latin Quarter.djvu/167

am I to find them? I know, let’s be off to the cross-roads of Providence.”

This was the name bestowed by Rodolphe on the most central point in Paris, that is to say, the Palais Royal; a spot where it is almost impossible to remain ten minutes without meeting ten people of one’s acquaintance, creditors above all. Rodolphe therefore went and stationed himself at the entrance to the Palais Royal. This time Providence was long in coming. At last Rodolphe caught sight of it. Providence had a white hat, a green coat, and a gold-headed cane—a well-dressed Providence.

It was a rich and obliging young fellow, although a phalansterian.^[1]

“I am delighted to see you,” said he to Rodolphe, “come and walk a little way with me; we can have a talk.”

“So I am to have the infliction of the phalanstere,” murmured Rodolphe, suffering himself to be led away by the wearer of the white hat, who, indeed, phalanstered him to the utmost.

As they drew near the Pont des Arts Rodolphe said to his companion—

“I must leave you, not having sufficient to pay the toll.”

“Nonsense,” said the other, catching hold of Rodolphe and throwing two sous to the toll-keeper.

“This is the right moment,” thought the editor of “The Scarf of Iris,” as they crossed the bridge. Arrived at the further end in front of the clock of the Institute, Rodolphe stopped short, pointed to the dial with a despairing gesture, and exclaimed:

“Confound it all, a quarter to five! I am done for.”

“What is the matter?” cried his astonished friend.