hands from me, but this seemed to her so curious that she immediately sat down beside me.
"You see, I only decided to pay so much because they could be sold later on if need be. They can be sold again for twenty thousand francs."
"No doubt, no doubt; they are splendid horses, and you have a fine turn-out now; it suits you; well, that's enough."
"Then you are not cross?"
"Why should I be? You are sensible to provide yourself with things that are necessary to you. All that will be of use to you afterwards. I see that it is quite necessary for you to establish yourself in such a style; otherwise you will never save up your million. Our hundred thousand francs is only a beginning; a drop in the ocean."
Blanche had expected from me anything but such reflections (instead of outcries and reproaches). She seemed to drop from the clouds.
"So that's what you are like! Mais tu as l'esprit pour comprendre. Sais-tu, mon garçon, though you are an outchitel you ought to have been born a prince. So you don't grudge the money's going so quickly?"
"Bother the money! the quicker the better!"
"Mais sais-tu . . . mais dis donc, are you rich? Mais sais-tu, you really despise money too much. Qu'est ce que tu feras après, dis donc?"
"Après, I shall go to Homburg and win another hundred thousand francs."
"Oui, oui, c'est ça, c'est magnifique! And I know you will certainly win it and bring it here. Dis donc, why you will make me really love you. Eh bien, I will love you all the time for being like that, and won't once be unfaithful to you. You see, I have not loved you all this time, parceque je croyais que tu n'étais qu'un outchitel (quelque chose comme un laquais, n'est-ce pas?), but I have been faithful to you all the same, parceque je suis bonne fille."
"Come, you are lying! How about Albert, that swarthy-faced little officer; do you suppose I didn't see last time?"
"Oh, oh, mais tu es . . ."
"Come, you are lying, you are lying; why, do you suppose I should be angry? Why, it's no matter; il faut que la jeunesse se passe. And there's no need for you to send him away if you had him before me and are fond of him. Only don't give him money, do you hear?"
