Page:Memoirs of Vidocq, Volume 2.djvu/58

 I do not ask you to do an unpleasant thing. Heavens! that I was of your age, and knew what I know! We have always resources whilst we are young. Come,' he added, presenting the paper to us, 'now is your time to coin money: put your name at the bottom of this paper.'

"The persuasions of Belle-Rose were so pressing, and we were so fearful of the watch, that we signed. 'That is right,' said he, 'now I will go and pay; if you are vexed there is always time: you will have nothing to do but return the money; but we shall not come to that. Patience, my friends, I will soon return.'

"Belle-Rose soon went out and quickly returned.

"'The embargo is removed,' said he, 'and now we are free to go or stay; but you have not yet seen madame Belle-Rose yet, I wish to introduce you to her: she is a woman with wit to the end of her nails.'

"M. Belle-Rose conducted us to his house, his lodging was not over brilliant; two rooms on the back of a mean-looking house a little distance from the Arch-Marion. Madame Belle-Rose was in a recess at the end of the second room, her head resting on a heap of pillows. Near her bed were two crutches: and at a little distance, a night table, a spitting-box, a shell snuff-box, a silver goblet, and a bottle of brandy nearly emptied. Madame Belle-Rose was about forty-five or fifty: she was attired in a stylish morning gown, with top-knot and head-dress of lace. Her face was distorted as we entered by a violent fit of coughing. 'Wait till she has done,' said Belle-Rose to us: and at length, her cough ceasing, 'Can you talk, my duck?'—'Yes, my precious,' she answered.—'Well, you will oblige me by informing my friends here what fortunes are made in the colonies.'—'Immense! M. Belle-Rose, immense!'—'What alliances?'—'What alliances? Superb! M. Belle-Rose, superb! the meanest heiress has millions of piastres.'—'What life do they lead?'—'The life of a prince, M. Belle-Rose.'