Page:Memoirs of Vidocq, Volume 2.djvu/249

 "Yes, the seamstress I want; a person who has one shoulder somewhat higher than the other." Again I was laughed at, and her apartment pointed out as on the third story. Although her neighbours were very complaisant, I was rather nettled at their chuckling and laughing; it was exceedingly unpolite: but such was my tolerance, that I freely pardoned the expression of their mirth; and was not that commendable in me? It preserved the character I had assumed. The door was shown to me; I knocked, and it was opened by my darling little Humpa herself; and after fifty apologies for the visit, I begged her to give me a few moments' audience, adding, that I had personal business to discuss with her.

"Mademoiselle," said I, with a solemn tone, after she had seated me opposite to herself, "you are ignorant of the motive which has led me hither; but when you shall know it, perhaps the step I have taken will excite your interest."

The hump-backed damsel thought that I was going to make an open avowal; the colour rushed to her cheeks, and her look became animated, although she cast her eyes on the ground. I continued:

"Doubtless, you will be astonished that at my age one can be as deeply enamoured as at twenty years old."

"Ah, sir, you are still young," said the amiable Humpina, whose mistake I would not allow to be prolonged.

"Why, pretty well for that," I added, "but it is not of that I would speak. You know that in Paris it is not an uncommon thing for a man and woman to live together without the benediction of holy Mother Church."

"What do you take me for, sir, to make such a proposal to me?" cried the little Humpetta, without giving me time to finish my sentence. I smiled at her mistake, and continued: "I have no intention to make any such proposition; I only request that you will