Brassai: Lovers in a Bistro, 1932-33.

Source:
Fine Art Photography Gallery & Forum: Brassai:
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Gaito Gazdanov's Paris / 35

First love

It was actually at Montparnasse � after one of these trips � that I was hailed by a couple coming out of a house � in rue St. Beuve � which I knew well.

The woman, very young and elegantly dressed, seemed upset; one look was enough to understand that she had gone to a house of rendezvous with her � probably first � lover.

Her hands trembled, her eyelids fluttered, she gasped for breath. Taking leave of her companion she told me her address: one of the Seine embankments.

When we arrived her trembling fingers couldn�t pull the money out of her purse; finally she handed me ten francs, but I in turn couldn�t find the right change.

�Quick, quick!� she urged, her tone hysterical. �My god, what�s the matter? Hurry up!�

I looked at her:

�Don�t get excited, madam. It�s too late. What�s done is done.�

�You shit!� she cried, on the verge of tears, and fled without waiting for her change. [193-194]