Page:The Bohemians of the Latin Quarter.djvu/322

Sidonie, Musette’s friend, begging her to forward the one enclosed in it. Then he went downstairs to the porter to get him to take the letters. As he was paying him beforehand, the porter noticed a gold coin in the painter’s hand, and before starting on his errand went up to inform the landlord, with whom Marcel was behind with his rent.

“Sir,” said he, quite out of breath, “the artist on the sixth floor has money. You know the tall fellow who laughs in my face when I take him his bill?”

“Yes,” said the landlord, “the one who had the impudence to borrow money of me to pay me something on account with. He is under notice to quit.”

“Yes, sir. But he is rolling in gold to-day. I caught sight of it just now. He is giving a party. It is a good time———”

“You are right,” said the landlord; “I will go up and see for myself by-and-by.”

Madame Sidonie, who was at home when Marcel’s letter was brought, sent on her maid at once with the one intended for Musette.

The latter was then residing in a charming suite of rooms in the Chaussée d’Antin. At the moment Marcel’s letter was handed to her, she had company, and, indeed, was going to give a grand dinner party that evening.

“Here is a miracle,” she exclaimed, laughing like a mad thing.

“What is it?” asked a handsome young fellow, as stiff as a statuette.

“It is an invitation to dinner,” replied the girl. “How well it falls out.”

“How badly,” said the young man.

“Why so?” said Musette.

“What, do you think of going?”

“I should think so. Arrange things as you please.”