Page:The Bohemians of the Latin Quarter.djvu/249

did not give him time, and passing by him greeted him with a friendly gesture, and his companion with a smile.

“Who is that gentleman? ” asked Mimi.

Rodolphe answered her by mentioning a name which made her blush with pleasure and pride.

“Oh!” said Rodolphe, “our meeting with the poet who has sung of love so well is a good omen, and will bring luck to our reconciliation.”

“I do love you,” said Mimi, squeezing his hand, although they were in the midst of the crowd.

“Alas!” thought Rodolphe; “which is better, to allow oneself always to be deceived through believing, or never to believe for fear of being always deceived?”