Her nose, a la Roxelane, her well-cut lips, her blue eyes, and all that formerly made up her beauty, was now buried in folds of vigorous flesh which told of the habits and occupations of an outdoor life.

The stomach and bosom were distinguished for an amplitude worthy of Rubens.
"Do you want to make me lie in the straw ?" she said to Cerizet.

"What do I care for the Toupilliers?
Ain't I a Toupillier myself?
What do you want to do with them, those Toupilliers ?" This savage outburst was hastily repressed by Cerizet, who uttered a prolonged "Hush-sh!" such as all conspirators obey.
"Well, go and find out all you can about it, and come back to me," said Cerizet, pushing the woman toward the door, and whispering, as he did so, a few words in her ear.
"Well, my dear friend," said Theodose to Cerizet, "you have got your money ?" "Yes," returned Cerizet "we have measured our claws, they are the same length, the same strength, and the same sharpness.

What next ?" "Am I to tell Dutocq that you received, last night, twenty-five thousand francs ?" "Oh! my dear friend, not a word, if you love me!" cried Cerizet.
"Listen," said Theodose.

"I must know, once for all, what you want.