When a customer enters a shop with a cheerful countenance, and asks for his bill, the visit is apt to produce a corresponding amenity on the part of the tradesman. Linny's reception for some time past had not been gracious, and it was extremely pleasant to her to be able to hold up her head, like an honest woman who was able to pay her debts, and to find herself saluted with a bow and a smile on the announcement that they were going to leave Paris in a few days, and wished to settle their accounts before they went. Indeed, it was to the real pain and shame they saw she felt at not being able to satisfy their just demands, that Vaughan owed the indulgence he had met with from his creditors. They saw clearly that the pauvre petite dame was honest, and would pay them if she could; and, accordingly, when she now promised them their money, they implicitly believed her; so that her en-and was a pleasant one; and betwixt that bit of sunshine and Vaughan's kindness, she had not felt so happy for a long time. Her husband had told her he should not dine at home - indeed he seldom did; and, as she never spent any money on herself she could possibly avoid, she stopped at the traiteur's nearest the hotel, and desired him to send her up a quarter of a pound of ham; this, with a roll, would give her a dinner for some days, so frugal was she. When her repast was ended, she thought she would employ the afternoon in arranging their things for packing.
