That day I said to myself:
'I've got a career! When I'm no longer young I'll lend money to great
ladies on their finery; for passion never calculates, it pays
blindly.' If you want subjects for a vaudeville I can sell you
plenty."
She departed after delivering this tirade, in which all the phases of
her past life were outlined, leaving Gazonal as much horrified by her
revelations as by the five yellow teeth she showed when she tried to
smile.
"What shall we do now?" he asked presently.
"Make notes," replied Bixiou, whistling for his porter; "for I want
some money, and I'll show you the use of porters. You think they only
pull the gate-cord; whereas they really pull poor devils like me and
artists whom they take under their protection out of difficulties.
Mine will get the Montyon prize one of these days."
Gazonal opened his eyes to their utmost roundness.
A man between two ages, partly a graybeard, partly an office-boy, but
more oily within and without, hair greasy, stomach puffy, skin dull
and moist, like that of the prior of a convent, always wearing list
shoes, a blue coat, and grayish trousers, made his appearance.
"What is it, monsieur?" he said with an air which combined that of a
protector and a subordinate.
"Ravenouillet-- His name is Ravenouillet," said Bixiou turning to
Gazonal.
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