a good
(not an overfierce) fire lighted in both rooms; have everything
well dusted, and remove the coverings from the furniture, taking
especial care not to scratch the gilding, or to soil or burn the
carpet while lighting the fires. If I should not be in about one
o'clock, when a lady will arrive in a hackney-coach and inquire
for me by the name of M. Charles, let her be shown up to the
apartment; after which the key is to be taken down-stairs again,
and kept till my arrival."

Spite of the want of finished composition displayed in this _billet_,
Rodolph perfectly comprehended to whom and what it alluded, and merely
added, after perusing it:

"Who lives on the first floor, then?"

The old woman placed her yellow, shrivelled finger upon her pendulous
lip, and replied, by a half-malicious grin:

"Hush! There is a woman in the way,--silence!"

"Oh, my dear Madame Pipelet, I merely asked because, before living in a
house, one likes to know a little."

"Yes, yes! Of course, everybody likes to know all they can; that is all
fair enough; and I am sure I have no objection to tell you all I know
myself, and that is but very little. Well, but to begin. About six weeks
ago a carpet-maker came here to look at the first floor, which was then
to let, and to ask the price, and other particulars about it. Next day
he came again, accompanied by a young man of fair complexion, small
moustaches, and wearing a cross of honour and very fine linen. The
carpet-maker called him commandant."

"A military man, I suppose?" said Rodolph.

"Military!" exclaimed Madame Pipelet, with a chuckle. "Not he! Why,
Alfred might as well call himself porter to a prince."

"How so?"

"Why, he is only in the National Guard! The carpet-maker only called him
commandant to flatter him: just the same as it tickles up Alfred's
vanity to be styled _concierge_ instead of porter. So when the
commandant (that is the only name we know him by) had looked over the
rooms, he said to the upholsterer, his friend, 'Well, I think the place
will do for me,--just see the landlord, and arrange all about it.' 'Yes,
commandant,' says the other. And the very next day the upholsterer-man
signed the lease with M. Bras Rouge (in his own name, mind you); and,
further, paid six months in advance, because, he said, the gentleman did
not wish to be bored about references. And such a power of fine
furniture as was sent into the first floor! _Sop