e
sawed off the four feet of a cot-bedstead and made it rest on the
floor; the consequence of which was, that the cot-bedstead proved
to be utterly worthless. The porter's wife took pity upon us, and
lent us a second cot-bedstead, which 'furnished' your chamber,
which was likewise adorned with several dusty souvenirs you hung
on the wall, such as a woman's glove, a velvet mask, and various
other objects which love had hallowed.

"The first week passed away in the most delightful manner. We
stayed at home, we worked hard, we smoked a great deal. I have
found among this mountain of papers a blank sheet on which is
written,--

Beatrix,
A Drama in Five Acts,
By Henry Murger,
Played at the ---- Theatre on the ---- day of 18--.

This sheet was torn out of an enormous blank copy-book; for you
were guilty of the execrable habit of using all our paper to write
nothing else but titles of dramas; you wrote 'Played' as seriously
as could be, just to see what effect the title-page would produce.
Our paper disappeared too fast in this way. Luckily, when all of
it had disappeared, you discovered, Heaven knows where or how,
some old atlas of geography whose alternate leaves were blank,--a
discovery which enabled us to do without the stationer.

"Hard times began to press after the first week flew away. We had
a long discussion, in which each hurled at the other reproaches on
the spendthrift prodigality with which we threw away our money.
The discussion ended in our agreeing, that, the moment the next
instalment of our income should be received, I should keep a
severe account of our expenses, in order that no more quarrels
should disturb the harmony of our household, each of us taking
care every day to examine the accounts. This is the little book I
have found. How simple, how touching, how laconic, how full of
souvenirs it is!

"We were wonderfully honest on the first of every month. I read at
the date of November 1st, 1843, 'Paid Madame Bastien forty cents
for tobacco due.' We paid, too, the grocer, the restaurant, (I
declare there is 'restaurant' on the book!) the coal-dealer, etc.
The first day of this month was a merry day, I see: 'Spent at the
_cafe_ seven cents'; a piece of extravagance for which I am sure
you must have scolded me that eveni