Page:Memoirs of Vidocq, Volume 2.djvu/42

 "I had left Arras at fourteen, and been at Paris for six months, apprentice to a gunsmith, when, one morning, my master desired me to carry to the colonel of the carabineers, who lived in the Place Royale, a pair of pistols which he had been repairing. I soon performed this commission, and unfortunately these cursed pistols should return eighteen francs to the shop, and the colonel counted out the money, adding a trifle for myself. So far, so good; but, lo and behold, in crossing the Rue du Pelican I heard somebody knock at a window; I raised my eyes, supposing that I should see some acquaintance, when what should I see but a madame de Pompadour, who, with all her charms displayed, was tapping at a window, and who, by an inclination of her head, accompanied with a charming smile, invited me to go up to her. She might have been called a picture moving in its frame. A magnificent neck, a skin white as snow, a wide chest, and above all a delightful countenance, combined to enflame me. I went up the stairs four at a time, and on introducing myself to my princess, I found her a divinity. 'Approach, my little one,' said she to me, tapping my cheek lightly; 'you are going to make me a little present, are you not?'

"I put my trembling hand into my pocket, and taking out the piece of money given me by the colonel—'Well, my child,' continued she, 'I think you are a Picardy lad, and I am your country-woman—Oh you wish to treat your townswoman to a glass of wine.'

"The request was urged so sweetly, that I had no power of denial left, and the eighteen francs of the colonel were trenched upon. One glass produced another, that generated a third, which begot a fourth, and so on, until I was drunk with wine and delight. Night arrived, and I know not how, but I awoke in the street on a heap of stones at the gate of the hotel des Fermes.

"My surprise was great on looking about me, and