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Updated: June 8, 2025
And Frantz, too, began to fall under the charm. Little by little Mam'zelle Zizi took possession of his heart and banished from it even the memory of Sidonie. To be sure, the poor judge did all that he could to accomplish that result. At every hour in the day he was by Desiree's side, and clung to her like a child. Not once did he venture to return to Asnieres. He feared the other too much.
'Ah me! said Titty, 'so you don't know your poor Zizi? While you were away the wicked witch came, and turned me into this. But if you only have the courage to marry me I shall get back my beauty. And she began to cry bitterly. Now the good-natured Desire was as soft-hearted as he was brave. 'Poor girl, he thought to himself.
So thoroughly did she learn her lesson that one day, when she was full of the image of the man who was to be turned out of doors by her orders, she cried out: "I say, Zizi, your brother's not coming. He's a base deserter!" The next day, when Georges and Nana were alone together, Francois came upstairs to ask whether Madame would receive Lieutenant Philippe Hugon.
The gypsy began to comb her long brown locks, when suddenly she drew a pin from her stays, and, just as the titmouse digs its beak into the heads of linnets and larks, Titty dug the pin into the head of Zizi. No sooner did Zizi feel the prick of the pin than she became a bird again, and, spreading her wings, she flew away. 'That was neatly done, said the gypsy.
And as she told the story of the ill-fated little Zizi, who was driven mad by passion, Sidonie had the appearance of a love-sick woman. With what heartrending expression, with the cry of a wounded dove, did she repeat that refrain, so melancholy and so sweet, in the childlike patois of the colonies: "C'est l'amou, l'amou qui tourne la tete...."
If he had looked under Desiree's pillow, he would have found there a letter postmarked Cairo, wherein lay the secret of that happy change. Four pages signed by Frantz, his whole conduct confessed and explained to his dear little Zizi. It was the very letter of which the sick girl had dreamed.
They all pretended to believe it, and the ladies at once put on the false princess the rich dresses they had brought for Zizi. She was then perched on the top of a magnificent ambling palfrey, and they set forth to the castle.
It was the soft little tap of a daintily gloved hand which fears to soil itself by the slightest touch. "Come in!" said Desiree, with a slight gesture of impatience; and Sidonie appeared, lovely, coquettish, and affable. She had come to see her little Zizi, to embrace her as she was passing by. She had been meaning to come for so long.
'Are you cold? asked her sister with a hush in her voice; 'you feel the cold air all of a sudden? 'I do, maman, Zizi answered. 'It's blowing like a wind across my hand. What is it? He was shivering. He looked over his shoulder nervously. There was a heavy step in the hall, and a figure darkened the doorway. All three gave a start. 'J'ai sommeil, announced the deep voice of the Postmaster.
Thus attired and with his delicate young arms showing and his bright damp hair falling almost to his shoulders, he looked just like a girl. "Why, he's as slim as I am!" said Nana, putting her arm round his waist. "Zoe, just come here and see how it suits him. It's made for him, eh? All except the bodice part, which is too large. He hasn't got as much as I have, poor, dear Zizi!"
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