Page:The Bohemians of the Latin Quarter.djvu/362

Romeo Montague, and you will oblige me by not calling me otherwise. Besides, in order that everyone may know it, I have had some new visiting cards engraved. But that is not all. I shall profit by the fact that we are not in Car- nival time to wear a velvet doublet and a sword.”

“To kill Tybalt with?” said Colline.

“Exactly,” continued Rodolphe. “Finally, this ladder that you see is to enable me to visit my mistress, who, as it happens, has a balcony.”

“But the bird, the bird?” said the obstinate Colline.

“Why, this bird, which is a pigeon, is to play the part of the nightingale, and indicate every morning the precise moment when, as I am about to leave her loved arms, my mistress will throw them about my neck and repeat to me in her sweet tones the balcony scene, ‘It is not yet near day,’ that is to say, ‘It is not yet eleven, the streets are muddy, do not go yet, we are so comfortable here.’ In order to perfect the imitation, I will try to get a nurse, and place her under the orders of my beloved, and I hope that the almanac will be kind enough to grant me a little moonlight now and then, when I scale my Juliet’s balcony. What do you say to my project, philosopher?”

“It is very fine,” said Colline; “but could you also explain to me the mysteries of this splendid outer covering that renders you unrecognizable? You have become rich, then?”

Rodolphe did not reply, but made a sign to one of the waiters, and carelessly threw down a louis, saying:

“Take that for what we have had.”

Then he tapped his waistcoat pocket, which gave forth a jingling sound.

“Have you got a bell in your pocket, for it to jingle as loud as that?”

“Only a few louis.”