e got in himself, and gave his
new address to the driver. "Now tell me all," said Madame Ferailleur.

Poor Pascal was in that state of mind in which it costs one actual
suffering to talk; but he wished to mitigate his mother's anxiety as
much as possible; and moreover, he did not like her to suppose him
wanting in endurance. So, with a powerful effort, he shook off the
lethargy that was creeping over him, and in a voice loud enough to be
heard above the noise of the carriage wheels, he began: "This is what
I have done, mother, since I left you. I remembered that some time ago,
while I was appraising some property, I had seen three or four houses
on the Route de la Revolte, admirably suited to our present wants.
Naturally I went there first. A suite of rooms was vacant in one of
these houses. I have taken it; and in order that nothing may interfere
with the liberty of my movements, I have paid six months' rent in
advance. Here is the receipt, drawn up in the name we shall henceforth
bear." So saying, he showed his mother a document in which the landlord
declared that he had received from M. Maumejan the sum of three hundred
and fifty francs for two quarters' rent, etc. "My bargain concluded," he
resumed, "I returned into Paris, and entered the first furniture shop
I saw. I meant to hire the necessary things to furnish our little
home, but the dealer made all sorts of objections. He trembled for his
furniture, he wanted a sum of money to be deposited as security, or the
guarantee of three responsible business men. Seeing this, and knowing
that I had no time to lose, I preferred to purchase such articles as
were absolutely necessary. One of the conditions of the purchase was
that everything should be in the house and in its place by eleven
o'clock to-night. As I stipulated in writing that the dealer should
forfeit three hundred francs in case he failed to fulfil his agreement,
I can rely upon his punctuality; I confided the key of our lodgings to
him, and he must now be there waiting for us."

So, before thinking of his love, and Mademoiselle Marguerite, Pascal had
taken the necessary measures for the execution of his plan to regain his
lost honor. Madame Ferailleur had scarcely supposed him capable of so
much courage and firmness, and she rewarded him with a warm pressure of
the hand. Then, as he was silent: "When did you see Madame Leon, then?"
she asked.

"When all the household arrangements were completed, mother. On