Page:Memoirs of Vidocq, Volume 2.djvu/44

 "I was punctual at the rendezvous, and Fanfan did not keep me waiting; he was there before me, and on my entrance, I was led into a small room, where I found him seated before a tub of oysters, with a female on each side of him, one of whom, on perceiving me, burst out into a loud fit of laughter. 'Ah, what is that for?' said Fanfan. 'Oh heaven, it is my towns-man.'—'It is my towns-woman,' said I confused. 'Yes, my little one, it is your towns-woman.' I was going to complain of the trick she had served me on the previous evening, but embracing Fanfan, whom she called her pet, she laughed more heartily than before, and I saw that the best thing I could do was to join the laugh like a jolly fellow.

"'Well,' said Fanfan, pouring out a glass of white wine, and helping me to a dozen oysters, 'you see, you must never despair of Providence. We have some pigs'-feet on the gridiron, do you like pigs'-feet?' And before I could answer his question, they were put on the table. The appetite I displayed was so much in the affirmative, that Fanfan had no further occasion to ask my opinion of them. The Chablis soon put me in spirits, and I forgot the disagreeables which had given me such cause of dreading my master; and, as the companion of my towns-woman had cast a gracious eye on me, I did not hesitate to make desperate love to her. By the honour of Dufailli! she was soon won, and gave me her hand.

"'You really love me then,' said Fanchette—so was my damsel named:—'Love you?' said I. 'Why, if you like we will be married.' 'That is right,' said Fanfan. 'Marry; and to commence, I will wed you at once. I marry you, my boy; do you understand? so, embrace;' and at the same time, he united our hands and drew our faces towards each other. 'Poor child,' said Fanchette, giving me a second kiss without the aid of my friend. 'Be easy; I will instruct you.'

"I was in paradise, and spent a delightful day. In