Page:The Bohemians of the Latin Quarter.djvu/400

days of June and July, he found chill and dreary. For two hours he beat about the snow-covered thickets, lifting the bushes with a stick, and ended by finding a few tiny blossoms, and as it happened, in a part of the wood bordering the Le Plessis pool, which had been their favorite spot when they came into the country.

Passing through the village of Chatillon to get back to Paris, Rodolphe met in the square before the church a baptismal procession, in which he recognized one of his friends who was the godfather, with a singer from the opera.

“What the deuce are you doing here? ” asked the friend, very much surprised to see Rodolphe in those parts.

The poet told him what had happened.

The young fellow, who had known Mimi, was greatly saddened at this story, and feeling in his pocket took out a bag of christening sweetmeats and handed it to Rodolphe.

“Poor Mimi, give her this from me and tell her I will come and see her.”

“Come quickly, then, if you would come in time,” said Rodolphe as he left him.

When Rodolphe got to the hospital, Mimi, who could not move, threw her arms about him in a look.

“Ah! there are my flowers,” said she, with a smile of satisfied desire.

Rodolphe related his pilgrimage into that part of the country that had been the paradise of their loves.

“Dear flowers,” said the poor girl, kissing the violets. The sweetmeats greatly pleased her too. “I am not quite forgotten, then. The young fellows are good. Ah! I love all your friends,” said she to Rodolphe.

This interview was almost merry. Schaunard and Colline had rejoined Rodolphe. The nurses had almost to turn them out, for they had overstayed visiting time.