The lady next me was a tall lean figure of a woman, of about thirty-six; the other of the same size and make, of about forty; there was no mark of wife or widow in any one part of either of them—they seem’d to be two upright vestal sisters, unsapped by caresses, unbroke in upon by tender salutations: I could have wish’d to have made them happy—their happiness was destin’d, that night, to come from another quarter.

A low voice, with a good turn of expression, and sweet cadence at the end of it, begg’d for a twelve- sous piece betwixt them, for the love of heaven. I thought it singular, that a beggar should fix the quota of an alms—and that the sum should be twelve times as much as what is usually given in the dark. They both seem’d astonish’d at it as much as myself——Twelve sous! said one——A twelve-sous piece! said the other—and made no reply.

The poor man said, He knew not how to ask less of ladies of their rank; and bow’d down his head to the ground.

Poo! said they—we have no money.

The beggar remained silent for a moment or two, and renew’d his supplication.

Do not, my fair young ladies, said he, stop your good ears against me——Upon my word, honest man! said the younger, we have no change——Then God bless you, said the poor man, and multiply those joys which you can give to others without change!——I observed the elder sister put her hand into her pocket——I ’ll see, said she, if I have a sous——A sous! give twelve, said the supplicant; Nature has been bountiful to you, be bountiful to a poor man.

I would, friend, with all my heart, said the younger, if I had it.

My fair charitable! said he, addressing himself to the elder——What is it but your goodness and humanity which makes your bright eyes so sweet, that they outshine the morning even in this dark passage? and what was it which made the Marquis de Santerre and his brother say so much of you both as they just pass’d by?

The two ladies seemed much affected; and impulsively at the same time they both put their hands into their pocket, and each took out a twelve-sous piece.

The contest betwixt them and the poor supplicant was no more—it was continued betwixt themselves, which of the two should give the twelve-sous piece in charity—and to end the dispute, they both gave it together, and the man went away.

The Riddle Explained

Paris

I Stepp’d hastily after him: it was the very man whose success in asking charity of the women before the door of the hôtel had so puzzled me—and I found at once his secret, or at least the basis of it—’twas flattery.

Delicious essence! how refreshing art thou to nature! how strongly are all its powers and all its weaknesses on thy side! how sweetly dost thou mix with the blood, and help it through the most difficult and tortuous passages to the heart!

The poor man, as he was not straiten’d for time, had given it here in a larger dose: ’tis certain he had a way of bringing it into less form, for the many sudden cases he had to do with in the streets; but how he contrived to correct, sweeten, concentre, and qualify it—I vex not my spirit with the inquiry—it is enough, the beggar gain’d two twelve-sous pieces—and they can best tell the rest, who have gain’d much greater matters by it.