Here, too, she would get
queer little glimpses into life--hearing very likely how
Monsieur B. had made off without paying his bill, or how those
trunks that Madame la Comtesse C. had left eighteen months
ago, as a pledge of her return, had been opened at last, and
been found to contain but old clothes, fit for the rag-market;
how a few francs might be advantageously added on here and
there in the bill for the rich English family at the _premier;_
how the gentleman known as No. 5 was looked upon as a
suspicious character; and how Pierre the waiter had been set
to watch the door of No. 8, who had spent three months in the
house without paying a sou, and was daily suspected of
attempting to abscond. All these, and a dozen similar stories,
and half the gossip of the town, would come buzzing round
Madelon's ears as she sat gravely balancing one card one the
top of the other. She heard and comprehended them with such
comprehension as was in her; and no doubt they modified in
some degree her childish views of life, which in these early
days was presented to her, poor child! under no very sublime
or elevated aspect; but they had little interest for her, and
she paid small heed to them.
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