Page:The Bohemians of the Latin Quarter.djvu/184

he found himself alone. “I would rather tame lions. But,” he continued, jumping out of bed and dressing hurriedly, “I cannot stay here. The invasion will continue. I must flee; I must even breakfast. Suppose I go and see Schaunard. I will ask him for some breakfast, and borrow a trifle. A hundred francs will be enough. Yes, I’m off to Schaunard’s.”

Going downstairs, Rodolphe met Monsieur Benoît, who had received further shocks from his other lodgers, as was attested by his empty bag.

“If any one asks for me, tell them that I have gone into the country—to the Alps,” said Rodolphe. “Or stay, tell them that I no longer live here.”

“I shall tell the truth,” murmured Monsieur Benoît, in a very significant tone.

Schaunard was living at Montmartre. It was necessary to go right through Paris. This peregrination was one most dangerous to Rodolphe.

“To-day,” said he, the streets are paved with creditors.”

However, he did not go along by the outer Boulevards, as he had felt inclined to. A fanciful hope, on the contrary, urged him to follow the perilous itinerary of central Paris. Rodolphe thought that on a day when millions were going about the thoroughfares in the money-cases of bank messengers, it might happen that a thousand franc note, abandoned on the roadside, might lie waiting its Good Samaritan. Thus he walked slowly along with his eyes on the ground. But he only found two pins.

After a two hours’ walk he got to Schaunard’s.

“Ah, it’s you,” said the latter.

“Yes; I have come to ask you for some breakfast.”

“Ah, my dear fellow, you come at the wrong time. My mistress has just arrived, and I have not seen her for a fortnight. If you had only called ten minutes earlier.”