She was at last taking a gold coin from her little bag, but at that very moment a heavy blow, as if dealt by a fist, resounded on the door.  And Norine turned ghastly pale, for she had recognized Alexandre’s brutal knock.  What could she do?  If she did not open the door, the bandit would go on knocking, and raise a scandal.  She was obliged to open it, but things did not take the violent tragical turn which she had feared.  Surprised at seeing a lady there, Alexandre did not even open his mouth.  He simply slipped inside, and stationed himself bolt upright against the wall.  The lady-delegate had raised her eyes and then carried them elsewhere, understanding that this young fellow must be some friend, probably some relative.  And without thought of concealment, she went on: 

“Here are twenty francs, I can’t do more.  Only I promise you that I will try to double the amount next month.  It will be the rent month, and I’ve already applied for help on all sides, and people have promised to give me the utmost they can.  But shall I ever have enough?  So many applications are made to me.”

Her little bag had remained open on her knees, and Alexandre, with his glittering eyes, was searching it, weighing in fancy all the treasure of the poor that it contained, all the gold and silver and even the copper money that distended its sides.  Still in silence, he watched Madame Angelin as she closed it, slipped its little chain round her wrist, and then finally rose from her chair.

“Well, au revoir, till next month then,” she resumed.  “I shall certainly call on the 5th; and in all probability I shall begin my round with you.  But it’s possible that it may be rather late in the afternoon, for it happens to be my poor husband’s name-day.  And so be brave and work well.”

Norine and Cecile had likewise risen, in order to escort her to the door.  Here again there was an outpouring of gratitude, and the child once more kissed the good lady on both cheeks with all his little heart.  The sisters, so terrified by Alexandre’s arrival, at last began to breathe again.

In point of fact the incident terminated fairly well, for the young man showed himself accommodating.  When Cecile returned from obtaining change for the gold, he contented himself with taking one of the four five-franc pieces which she brought up with her.  And he did not tarry to torture them as was his wont, but immediately went off with the money he had levied, whistling the while the air of a hunting-song.

The 5th of the ensuing month, a Saturday, was one of the gloomiest, most rainy days of that wretched, mournful winter.  Darkness fell rapidly already at three o’clock in the afternoon, and it became almost night.  At the deserted end of Rue de la Federation there was an expanse of waste ground, a building site, for long years enclosed by a fence, which dampness had ended by rotting.  Some of the boards were missing, and at one part there was