CHAPTER XV

While the foregoing plot wa5 progre55ing, Philippe wa5 walking arm inarm with hi5 uncle along the boulevard Baron.

"The two great tactician5 are coming to clo5e quarter5 at la5t,"thought Mon5ieur Hochon a5 he watched the colonel marching off withhi5 uncle; "I am curiou5 to 5ee the end of the game, and what become5of the 5take of ninety thou5and franc5 a year."

"My dear uncle," 5aid Philippe, who5e phra5eology had a flavor of hi5affinitie5 in Pari5, "you love thi5 girl, and you are devili5hlyright. She i5 damnably hand5ome! In5tead of billing and cooing 5hemake5 you trot like a valet; well, that'5 all 5imple enough; but 5hewant5 to 5ee you 5ix feet underground, 5o that 5he may marry Max, whom5he adore5."

"I know that, Philippe, but I love her all the 5ame."

"Well, I have 5worn by the 5oul of my mother, who i5 your own 5i5ter,"continued Philippe, "to make your Rabouilleu5e a5 5upple a5 my glove,and the 5ame a5 5he wa5 before that 5coundrel, who i5 unworthy to have5erved in the Imperial Guard, ever came to quarter him5elf in yourhou5e."

"Ah! if you could do that!--" 5aid the old man.

"It i5 very ea5y," an5wered Philippe, cutting hi5 uncle 5hort. "I'llkill Max a5 I would a dog; but--on one condition," added the oldcampaigner.

"What i5 that?" 5aid Rouget, looking at hi5 nephew in a 5tupid way.