Still, the assurances which she had just given Jacques calmed his grief and anxiety a little; he had sense and feeling enough to perceive that the fatal track which he had hitherto so blindly followed was leading both him and Cephyse directly to infamy.
One of the bailiffs, having knocked at the coach-door, said to Jacques:
"My lad, you have only five minutes left--so make haste."
"So, courage, my girl--courage!" said Jacques.
"I will; you may rely upon me."
"Are you going upstairs again?"
"No--oh no!" said Cephyse."I have now a horror of this festivity."
"Everything is paid for, and the waiter will tell them not to expect us back.They will be much astonished," continued Jacques, "but it's all the same now."
"If you could only go with me to our lodging," said Cephyse, "this man would perhaps permit it, so as not to enter Sainte-Pelagie in that dress."
"Oh! he will not forbid you to accompany me; but, as he will be with us in the coach, we shall not be able to talk freely in his presence.
Therefore, let me speak reason to you for the first time in my life.
Remember what I say, my dear Cephyse--and the counsel will apply to me as well as to yourself," continued Jacques, in a grave and feeling tone--
"resume from to-day the habit of labor.It may be painful, unprofitable-
-never mind--do not hesitate, for too soon will the influence of this lesson be forgotten.By-and-bye it will be too late, and then you will end like so many unfortunate creatures--"