Page:Memoirs of Vidocq, Volume 1.djvu/199

 would send his servant for the five hundred francs. My agitation was so great that I answered I scarcely knew what, and the obscurity of the stable alone prevented him from observing my confusion. There was not a moment to lose, if I would not forfeit my good name with my superiors and brother officers.

"In this horrid situation I did not even think of applying to Lemaire, so much I already imagined that I had abused his friendship; but I had no other resource, and, at length, I resolved on writing him a note, stating the embarrassment in which I was placed. He came to me instantly, and laying on the table two gold snuff boxes, three watches and twelve engraved spoons, he told me that he had no ready money at the moment, but that I could easily procure it by taking these valuables to the pawnbrokers, and he left them at my disposal. After overwhelming him with thanks, I sent the whole to be pledged by my servant, who brought me twelve hundred francs for them. I first paid the lieutenant, and then led by my unlucky star, I flew to the Café de la Montagne, when Carré, after much persuasion, was induced to give me my revenge, and the remaining seven hundred francs passed from my purse to his.

"Aghast at this last stroke of fortune, I wandered for some time about the streets of Lille, whilst a thousand mad ideas flashed through my brain. It was in this mood that I imperceptibly drew near to Lemaire's house, which I entered mechanically; they were sitting down to dinner, and Josephine, struck by my extreme paleness, questioned me with interest concerning my affairs and my health; I was in one of those dejected moods whence the consciousness of his weakness makes the most reserved more communicative. I confessed all my extravagancies, adding that within two months I must pay more than four thousand francs, of which I had not a single sous.

"At these words Lemaire looked fixedly at me, with a gaze I can never forget all my life, be it long or short.