On the eighth day of last December, Mon. Gerbois, professor of mathematics atthe College of Versailles, while rummaging in an old curiosity-shop, uneartheda small mahogany writing-desk which pleased him very much on account of themultiplicity of its drawers.
“Just the thing for Suzanne’s birthday present,” thought he.And as he always tried to furnish some simple pleasures for his daughter,consistent with his modest income, he enquired the price, and, after some keenbargaining, purchased it for sixty-five francs. As he was giving his address tothe shopkeeper, a young man, dressed with elegance and taste, who had beenexploring the stock of antiques, caught sight of the writing-desk, andimmediately enquired its price.
“It is sold,” replied the shopkeeper.
“Ah! to this gentleman, I presume?”
Monsieur Gerbois bowed, and left the store, quite proud to be the possessor ofan article which had attracted the attention of a gentleman of quality. But hehad not taken a dozen steps in the street, when he was overtaken by the youngman who, hat in hand and in a tone of perfect courtesy, thus addressed him:
“I beg your pardon, monsieur; I am going to ask you a question that youmay deem impertinent. It is this: Did you have any special object in view whenyou bought that writing-desk?”
“No, I came across it by chance and it struck my fancy.”
“But you do not care for it particularly?”
“Oh! I shall keep it—that is all.”
“Because it is an antique, perhaps?”
“No; because it is convenient,” declared Mon. Gerbois.
“In that case, you would consent to exchange it for another desk thatwould be quite as convenient and in better condition?”
“Oh! this one is in good condition, and I see no object in making anexchange.”
“But——”
Mon. Gerbois is a man of irritable disposition and hasty temper. So he replied,testily:
“I beg of you, monsieur, do not insist.”
But the young man firmly held his ground.
“I don’t know how much you paid for it, monsieur, but I offer youdouble.”
“No.”
“Three times the amount.”
“Oh! that will do,” exclaimed the professor, impatiently; “Idon’t wish to sell it.”
The young man stared at him for a moment in a manner that Mon. Gerbois wouldnot readily forget, then turned and walked rapidly away.
An hour later, the desk was delivered at the professor’s house on theViroflay road