Place du Chateau-d'Eau, where his barracks stood, and
the result was the acquisition of the swaying, expansive graces of the
Parisian fire-eater. He had learnt the flowery talk, gallant
readiness, and involved style of language so dear to the hearts of the
ladies. At times she was thrilled with intense pleasure as she
listened to the phrases which he repeated to her with a swagger of the
shoulders, phrases full of incomprehensible words that inflamed her
cheeks with a flush of pride. His uniform no longer sat awkwardly on
him; he swung his arms to and fro with a knowing air, and had an
especially noticeable style of wearing his shako on the back of his
head, with the result that his round face with its tip of a nose
became extremely prominent, while his headgear swayed gently with the
rolling of his body. Besides, he was growing quite free and easy,
quaffed his dram, and ogled the fair sex. With his sneering ways and
affectation of reticence, he now doubtless knew a great deal more than
she did. Paris was fast taking all the remaining rust off him; and
Rosalie stood before him, delighted yet angry, undecided whether to
scratch his face or let him give utterance to foolish prattle.

Zephyrin, meanwhile, raking away, had turned the corner of the path.
He was now hidden by a big spindle-tree, and was darting side-glances
at Rosalie, luring her on against her will with the strokes of his
rake. When she had got near him, he pinched her roughly.

"Don't cry out; that's only to show you how I love you!" he said in a
husky whisper. "And take that over and above."

So saying he kissed her where he could, his lips lighting somewhere on
her ear. Then, as Rosalie gave him a fierce nip in reply, he
retaliated by another kiss, this time on her nose. Though she was well
pleased, her face turned fiery-red; she was furious that Jeanne's
presence should prevent her from giving him a box on the ear.

"I have pricked my finger," she declared to Jeanne as she returned to
her, by way of explaining the exclamation that escaped her lips.

However, betwixt the spare branches of the spindle-tree the child had
seen the incident. Amid the surrounding greenery the soldier's red
trousers and greyish shirt were clearly discernible. She slowly raised
her eyes to Rosalie, and looked at her for a moment, while the maid
blushed the more. Then Jeanne's gaze fell to the ground again, and she
gathered another handful of pebbles, but lacked the will or s