Page:Memoirs of Vidocq, Volume 2.djvu/45

 the evening I went to bed with Fanchette, and we were mutually pleased with each other.

"My education was soon perfected. Fanchette was delighted at having met with a pupil who profited so well from her instructions, and recompensed me generously.

"At this period the Notables had just assembled, and they were good pigeons. Fanchette plucked them, and we shared the spoil. Each day we banquetted without limit. These Notables supplied our throats as well as exerting their own! And I had always a well-supplied purse.

"Fanchette and I denied ourselves nothing; but how brief are the moments of happiness! Oh, how brief!

"Scarcely had a month of this charming life elapsed, when Fanchette and my towns-woman were apprehended and taken to prison. What had they done? I do not know, but evil tongues said something about the abstraction of a repeating-watch. I, who had no particular wish to make acquaintance with the lieutenant-general of police, thought it best to make as few enquiries as possible.

"This arrest was a blow which we had not looked for. Fanfan and I were overwhelmed at it. Fanchette was such a dear girl! and then how was I to carry on the war? My kettle was upset; farewell oysters, farewell chablis, farewell hours of love! I should have stuck to my anvil; and Fanfan reproached himself for having quitted his patty-pans.

"We were walking sorrowfully on the Quai de la Ferraille, when we were suddenly aroused by a sound of military music, two clarionets, a large drum and cymbals. The crowd had gathered round this band, stationed in a car, above which floated colours and plumes of all colours. I think they were playing the air 'Où peut on être mieux qu'au sein de sa famille?' (Where can we find joys equal to those at home?) When the musicians had finished, the drums beat a roll, and