diff options
Diffstat (limited to '33800-h')
| -rw-r--r-- | 33800-h/33800-h.htm | 15081 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33800-h/images/i001.jpg | bin | 0 -> 35518 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33800-h/images/i002.jpg | bin | 0 -> 56699 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33800-h/images/i003.jpg | bin | 0 -> 46295 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33800-h/images/i004.jpg | bin | 0 -> 67433 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33800-h/images/i005.jpg | bin | 0 -> 54816 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33800-h/images/i006.jpg | bin | 0 -> 49659 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 33800-h/images/i007.jpg | bin | 0 -> 42020 bytes |
8 files changed, 15081 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/33800-h/33800-h.htm b/33800-h/33800-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..8bdb483 --- /dev/null +++ b/33800-h/33800-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,15081 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<!-- $Id: header.txt 236 2009-12-07 18:57:00Z vlsimpson $ --> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Mysteries of Paris, by Eugene Sue. +(In Six Volumes, Volume I.) + </title> + <style type="text/css"> + +body { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + + h1 {margin-left: 1em; + margin-right: auto; + text-align: left; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 0; +} + + h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; +} + +p { + margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; +} + +div.frontmatter {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; + margin-top: 0; padding-top: 3em; + clear: both; max-width: 24em; } + +div.tns {margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 10%;} + +p.title {margin-left: 5em; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 3em; + font-size: 110%; text-align: left;} +p.volume {text-align: center; padding-top: 3em; padding-bottom: 3em;} +p.edition {text-align: center; font-size: 110%;} +p.ending {margin: auto; padding-top: 2em; font-size: 90%; font-weight: bold; + text-align: center;} + +.tr { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + margin-top: 5%; + margin-bottom: 5%; + padding: 1em; + background-color: #f6f2f2; + color: black; + border: dotted black 1px; +} + +hr { + width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; +} + +table { + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; +} + +td.tcol1 {text-align: right; padding-right: .5em; vertical-align: top;} +td.tcol2 {text-align: left; padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: top;} +td.tcol3 {text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;} + + +.pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; +} /* page numbers */ + + +.blockquot { + margin-left: 5%; + margin-right: 10%; + padding-top: .25em; + padding-bottom: .25em; +} + + +.bb {border-bottom: solid 2px;} + +.bl {border-left: solid 2px;} + +.bt {border-top: solid 2px;} + +.br {border-right: solid 2px;} + +.bbox {border: solid 2px;} + +.center {text-align: center;} + +.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + +.allcaps {font-size: 90%;} + +.artist {font-size: 80%;} + +.pad8 {padding-left: 8em;} + +.u {text-decoration: underline;} + +.caption {font-weight: bold;} + +/* Images */ +.figcenter { + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + text-align: center;} + + +/* Footnotes */ +.footnotes {border: dashed 1px;} + +.footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} + +.footnote .label {position: absolute; right: 84%; text-align: right;} + +.fnanchor { + vertical-align: super; + font-size: .8em; + text-decoration: + none; +} + + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +Project Gutenberg's The Mysteries of Paris, Volume 1 of 6, by Eugène Sue + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Mysteries of Paris, Volume 1 of 6 + +Author: Eugène Sue + +Illustrators: G. Mercier + Bicknell + Léon Poiteau + Adrian Marcel + +Release Date: September 22, 2010 [EBook #33800] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MYSTERIES OF PARIS, V.1 *** + + + + +Produced by David Edwards, Christine Aldridge and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net +(Stanford University, SUL Books in the Public Domain) + + + + + + +</pre> + + + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 303px;"><a name="Frontispiece" id="Frontispiece"></a> +<img src="images/i001.jpg" width="303" height="400" alt="Portrait of Eugene Sue" title="Portrait of Eugene Sue" /> +<span class="caption"><i>Portrait of Eugene Sue</i><br /> +<span class="artist">Etching by Bicknell, from a portrait</span></span> +</div> + + +<div class="frontmatter"> +<h1>The Mysteries of Paris.</h1> + +<p class="title"><i>ILLUSTRATED WITH ETCHINGS<br /> +BY MERCIER, BICKNELL, POITEAU,<br /> +AND ADRIAN MARCEL.</i><br /> +<span class="pad8"><span class="smcap"><i>By</i></span> <i>EUGENE SUE</i></span></p> + + +<p class="volume"><i>IN SIX VOLUMES<br /> +VOLUME I.</i></p> + + +<p class="center"><i>PRINTED FOR<br /> +FRANCIS A. NICCOLLS & CO.<br /> +BOSTON</i></p> +</div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p class="edition"><i>EDITION DE LUXE.</i></p> + +<p class="center"><i>Limited to One Thousand Copies.</i></p> + +<p class="edition">No.____</p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span></p> +<h2>CONTENTS.</h2> + + + +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="Contents"> +<tr><td class="tcol1"><span class="allcaps">CHAP.</span></td><td class="tcol2"> </td><td class="tcol3"><span class="allcaps">PAGE</span></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tcol1">I.</td><td class="tcol2"><span class="smcap">The Tapis-franc</span></td><td class="tcol3"><a href="#Page_11">11</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tcol1">II.</td><td class="tcol2"><span class="smcap">The Ogress</span></td><td class="tcol3"><a href="#Page_19">19</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tcol1">III.</td><td class="tcol2"><span class="smcap">History of La Goualeuse</span></td><td class="tcol3"><a href="#Page_31">31</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tcol1">IV.</td><td class="tcol2"><span class="smcap">The Chourineur's History</span></td><td class="tcol3"><a href="#Page_47">47</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tcol1">V.</td><td class="tcol2"><span class="smcap">The Arrest</span></td><td class="tcol3"><a href="#Page_59">59</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tcol1">VI.</td><td class="tcol2"><span class="smcap">Thomas Seyton and the Countess Sarah</span></td><td class="tcol3"><a href="#Page_67">67</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tcol1">VII.</td><td class="tcol2">"<span class="smcap">Your Money or Your Life</span>"</td><td class="tcol3"><a href="#Page_74">74</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tcol1">VIII.</td><td class="tcol2"><span class="smcap">The Walk</span></td><td class="tcol3"><a href="#Page_80">80</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tcol1">IX.</td><td class="tcol2"><span class="smcap">The Surprise</span></td><td class="tcol3"><a href="#Page_90">90</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tcol1">X.</td><td class="tcol2"><span class="smcap">Castles in the Air</span></td><td class="tcol3"><a href="#Page_99">99</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tcol1">XI.</td><td class="tcol2"><span class="smcap">Murphy and Rodolph</span></td><td class="tcol3"><a href="#Page_119">119</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tcol1">XII.</td><td class="tcol2"><span class="smcap">The Rendezvous</span></td><td class="tcol3"><a href="#Page_137">137</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tcol1">XIII.</td><td class="tcol2"><span class="smcap">Preparations</span></td><td class="tcol3"><a href="#Page_150">150</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tcol1">XIV.</td><td class="tcol2"><span class="smcap">The Bleeding Heart</span></td><td class="tcol3"><a href="#Page_157">157</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tcol1">XV.</td><td class="tcol2"><span class="smcap">The Vault</span></td><td class="tcol3"><a href="#Page_166">166</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tcol1">XVI.</td><td class="tcol2"><span class="smcap">The Sick-nurse</span></td><td class="tcol3"><a href="#Page_172">172</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tcol1">XVII.</td><td class="tcol2"><span class="smcap">The Punishment</span></td><td class="tcol3"><a href="#Page_189">189</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tcol1">XVIII.</td><td class="tcol2"><span class="smcap">The Isle Adam</span></td><td class="tcol3"><a href="#Page_206">206</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tcol1">XIX.</td><td class="tcol2"><span class="smcap">Recompense</span></td><td class="tcol3"><a href="#Page_212">212</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tcol1">XX.</td><td class="tcol2"><span class="smcap">The Departure</span></td><td class="tcol3"><a href="#Page_221">221</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tcol1">XXI.</td><td class="tcol2"><span class="smcap">Researches</span></td><td class="tcol3"><a href="#Page_225">225</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tcol1">XXII.</td><td class="tcol2"><span class="smcap">History of David and Cecily</span></td><td class="tcol3"><a href="#Page_246">246</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tcol1">XXIII.</td><td class="tcol2"><span class="smcap">A House in the Rue du Temple</span></td><td class="tcol3"><a href="#Page_258">258</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tcol1">XXIV.</td><td class="tcol2"><span class="smcap">The Four Stories</span></td><td class="tcol3"><a href="#Page_292">292</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tcol1">XXV.</td><td class="tcol2"><span class="smcap">Tom and Sarah</span></td><td class="tcol3"><a href="#Page_302">302</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tcol1">XXVI.</td><td class="tcol2"><span class="smcap">The Ball</span></td><td class="tcol3"><a href="#Page_323">323</a></td></tr> +</table> + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span></p> +<h2>LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.</h2> + +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> +<tr><td class="tcol2"> </td><td class="tcol3"><span class="allcaps">PAGE</span></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tcol2"><span class="smcap">Portrait of Eugene Sue</span></td><td class="tcol3"><i><a href="#Frontispiece">Frontispiece</a></i></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tcol2"><span class="smcap">The Chourineur, Rodolph, and La Goualeuse</span></td><td class="tcol3"><a href="#image22">22</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tcol2">"<span class="smcap">She proffered to Rodolph the Bouquet</span>"</td><td class="tcol3"><a href="#image88">89</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tcol2">"'<span class="smcap">Ah, here is the darling one!</span>'"</td><td class="tcol3"><a href="#image158">158</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tcol2">"<span class="smcap">Rodolph addressed the Schoolmaster.</span>"</td><td class="tcol3"><a href="#image190">190</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tcol2">"<span class="smcap">This individual was seated by the stove</span>"</td><td class="tcol3"><a href="#image260">260</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tcol2">"'<span class="smcap">This, I suppose, is the work of M. Cabrion</span>'"</td><td class="tcol3"><a href="#image296">296</a></td></tr> +</table> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span></p> +<h2>THE MYSTERIES OF PARIS.</h2> + +<hr style="width: 10%;" /> +<h3>CHAPTER I.</h3> + +<h5>THE TAPIS-FRANC.<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a></h5> + + +<p>It was on a cold and rainy night, towards the end of +October, 1838, that a tall and powerful man, with an old +broad-brimmed straw hat upon his head, and clad in a +blue cotton carter's frock, which hung loosely over trousers +of the same material, crossed the Pont au Change, +and darted with a hasty step into the Cité, that labyrinth +of obscure, narrow, and winding streets which extends +from the Palais de Justice to Notre Dame.</p> + +<div class="footnotes"> +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> <i>Tapis-franc</i>: literally, a "free carpet;" a low haunt equivalent to +what in English slang is termed "a boozing ken."</p></div> +</div> + +<p>Although limited in space, and carefully watched, this +quarter serves as the lurking-place, or rendezvous, of a +vast number of the very dregs of society in Paris, who +flock to the <i>tapis-franc</i>. This word, in the slang of theft +and murder, signifies a drinking-shop of the lowest class. +A returned convict, who, in this foul phraseology, is called +an "ogre," or a woman in the same degraded state, who +is termed an "ogress," generally keep such "cribs," frequented +by the refuse of the Parisian population; freed +felons, thieves, and assassins are there familiar guests. +If a crime is committed, it is here, in this filthy sewer, +that the police throws its cast-net, and rarely fails to +catch the criminals it seeks to take.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span></p> +<p>On the night in question, the wind howled fiercely in +the dark and dirty gullies of the Cité; the blinking and +uncertain light of the lamps which swung to and fro in +the sudden gusts were dimly reflected in pools of black +slush, which flowed abundantly in the midst of the filthy +pavement.</p> + +<p>The murky-coloured houses, which were lighted within +by a few panes of glass in the worm-eaten casements, +overhung each other so closely that the eaves of each +almost touched its opposite neighbour, so narrow were +the streets. Dark and noisome alleys led to staircases +still more black and foul, and so perpendicular +that they could hardly be ascended by the help of a +cord fixed to the dank and humid walls by holdfasts of +iron.</p> + +<p>Stalls of charcoal-sellers, fruit-sellers, or venders of +refuse meat occupied the ground floor of some of these +wretched abodes. Notwithstanding the small value of +their commodities, the fronts of nearly all these shops +were protected by strong bars of iron,—a proof that +the shopkeepers knew and dreaded the gentry who +infested the vicinity.</p> + +<p>The man of whom we have spoken, having entered the +Rue aux Fêves, which is in the centre of the Cité, slackened +his pace: he felt he was on his own soil. The night +was dark, and strong gusts of wind, mingled with rain, +dashed against the walls. Ten o'clock struck by the distant +dial of the Palais de Justice. Women were huddled +together under the vaulted arches, deep and dark, like +caverns; some hummed popular airs in a low key; others +conversed together in whispers; whilst some, dumb and +motionless, looked on mechanically at the wet, which fell +and flowed in torrents. The man in the carter's frock, +stopping suddenly before one of these creatures, silent +and sad as she gazed, seized her by the arm, and said, +"Ha! good evening, La Goualeuse."<a name="FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a></p> + +<div class="footnotes"> +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_2_2" id="Footnote_2_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> Sweet-throated: in reference to the tone of her voice.</p></div> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span></p> + +<p>The girl receded, saying, in a faint and fearful tone, +"Good evening, Chourineur.<a name="FNanchor_3_3" id="FNanchor_3_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a> Don't hurt me."</p> + +<div class="footnotes"> +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_3_3" id="Footnote_3_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_3_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a> One who strikes with the knife; the stabber, or slasher.</p></div> +</div> + +<p>This man, a liberated convict, had been so named at +the hulks.</p> + +<p>"Now I have you," said the fellow; "you must pay +me the glass of 'tape' (<i>eau d'aff</i>), or I'll make you +dance without music," he added, with a hoarse and +brutal laugh.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Heaven! I have no money," replied Goualeuse, +trembling from head to foot, for this man was the dread +of the district.</p> + +<p>"If you're stumped, the ogress of the <i>tapis-franc</i> will +give you tick for your pretty face."</p> + +<p>"She won't; I already owe her for the clothes I'm +wearing."</p> + +<p>"What, you want to shirk it?" shouted the Chourineur, +darting after La Goualeuse, who had hid herself in +a gully as murk as midnight.</p> + +<p>"Now, then, my lady, I've got you!" said the vagabond, +after groping about for a few moments, and grasping +in one of his coarse and powerful hands a slim and +delicate wrist; "and now for the dance I promised +you."</p> + +<p>"No, it is <i>you</i> who shall dance!" was uttered by a +masculine and deep voice.</p> + +<p>"A man! Is't you, Bras Rouge? Speak, why don't +you? and don't squeeze so hard. I am here in the +entrance to your 'ken,' and you it must be."</p> + +<p>"'Tis not Bras Rouge!" said the voice.</p> + +<p>"Oh! isn't it? Well, then, if it is not a friend, why, +here goes at you," exclaimed the Chourineur. "But +whose bit of a hand is it I have got hold of? It must +be a woman's!"</p> + +<p>"It is the fellow to this," responded the voice.</p> + +<p>And under the delicate skin of this hand, which +grasped his throat with sudden ferocity, the Chourineur<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span> +felt himself held by nerves of iron. The Goualeuse, who +had sought refuge in this alley, and lightly ascended a +few steps, paused for an instant, and said to her unknown +defender, "Thanks, sir, for having taken my +part. The Chourineur said he would strike me because +I could not pay for his glass of brandy; but I think he +only jested. Now I am safe, pray let him go. Take +care of yourself, for he is the Chourineur."</p> + +<p>"If he be the Chourineur, I am a bully boy who never +knuckles down," exclaimed the unknown.</p> + +<p>All was then silent for a moment, and then were heard +for several seconds, in the midst of the pitchy darkness, +sounds of a fierce struggle.</p> + +<p>"Who the devil is this?" then said the ruffian, making +a desperate effort to free himself from his adversary, +whose extraordinary power astonished him. "Now, then, +now you shall pay both for La Goualeuse and yourself!" +he shouted, grinding his teeth.</p> + +<p>"Pay! yes, I will pay you, but it shall be with my +fists; and it shall be cash in full," replied the unknown.</p> + +<p>"If," said the Chourineur, in a stifled voice, "you do +but let go my neckcloth, I will bite your nose off."</p> + +<p>"My nose is too small, my lad, and you haven't light +enough to see it."</p> + +<p>"Come under the 'hanging glim'<a name="FNanchor_4_4" id="FNanchor_4_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_4_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a> there."</p> + +<div class="footnotes"> +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_4_4" id="Footnote_4_4"></a><a href="#FNanchor_4_4"><span class="label">[4]</span></a> Under the lamp, called <i>reverbère</i>.</p></div> +</div> + +<p>"That I will," replied the unknown, "for then we +may look into the whites of each other's eyes."</p> + +<p>He then made a desperate rush at the Chourineur, +whom he still held by the throat, and forced him to the +end of the alley, and then thrust him violently into +the street, which was but dimly lighted by the suspended +street-lamp. The bandit stumbled; but, rapidly recovering +his feet, he threw himself furiously upon the unknown, +whose slim and graceful form appeared to +belie the possession of the irresistible strength he had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span> +displayed. After a struggle of a few minutes, the +Chourineur, although of athletic build, and a first-rate +champion in a species of pugilism vulgarly termed the +<i>savate</i>, found that he had got what they call his master. +The unknown threw him twice with immense dexterity, +by what is called, in wrestling, the leg-pass, or crook. +Unwilling, however, to acknowledge the superiority of +his adversary, the Chourineur, boiling with rage, returned +again to the charge. Then the defender of La +Goualeuse, suddenly altering his mode of attack, rained +on the head and face of the bandit a shower of blows +with his closed fist, as hard and heavy as if stricken by +a steel gauntlet. These blows, worthy of the admiration +of Jem Belcher, Dutch Sam, Tom Cribb, or any +other celebrated English pugilist, were so entirely different +from the system of the <i>savate</i>, that the Chourineur +dropped like an ox on the pavement, exclaiming, as he +fell, "I'm floored!" (<i>Mon linge est lavé!</i>)</p> + +<p>"<i>Mon Dieu! Mon Dieu!</i> Have pity on him!" exclaimed +La Goualeuse, who, during the contest, had +ventured on the threshold of the alley, adding, with an +air of astonishment, "But who are you, then? Except +the Schoolmaster and Skeleton, there is no one, from the +Rue Saint Eloi to Notre Dame, who can stand against +the Chourineur. I thank you very, very much, sir, for, +indeed, I fear that, without your aid, he would have +beaten me."</p> + +<p>The unknown, instead of replying, listened with much +attention to the voice of this girl. Perhaps a tone more +gentle, sweet, and silvery never fell on human ear. He +endeavoured to examine the features of La Goualeuse; +but the night was too dark, and the beams of the street-lamp +too flickering and feeble. After remaining for +some minutes quite motionless, the Chourineur shook his +legs and arms, and then partly rose from the ground.</p> + +<p>"Pray be on your guard!" exclaimed the Goualeuse, +retreating again into the dark passage, and taking her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span> +champion by the arm; "take care, or he will have his +revenge on you."</p> + +<p>"Don't be frightened, my child; if he has not had +enough, I have more ready for him."</p> + +<p>The brigand heard these words.</p> + +<p>"Thanks," he murmured; "I'm half throttled, and +one eye is closed,—that is quite enough for one day. +Some other time, perhaps, when we may meet again—"</p> + +<p>"What! not content yet,—grumbling still?" said +the unknown, with a menacing tone.</p> + +<p>"No, no,—not at all; I do not grumble in the least. +You have regularly served me out,—you are a lad of +mettle," said the Chourineur, in a coarse tone, but still +with that sort of deference which physical superiority +always finds in persons of his grade. "You are the +better man, that's clear. Well, except the Skeleton, +who seems to have bones of iron, he is so thin and +powerful, and the Schoolmaster, who could eat three +Herculeses for his breakfast, no man living could boast +of having put his foot on my neck."</p> + +<p>"Well, and what then?"</p> + +<p>"Why, now I have found my master, that's all; you +will find yours some day sooner or later,—everybody +does. One thing, however, is certain; now that you are +a better man than the Chourineur, you may 'go your +length' in the Cité. All the women will be your slaves; +ogres and ogresses will give you credit, if it is only for +fear; you may be a king in your way! But who and +what are you? You 'patter flash' like a family man! +If you are a 'prig' I'll have nothing to do with you. I +have used the knife, it is true, because, when the blood +comes into my eyes, I see <i>red</i>, and I must strike, in +spite of myself; but I have paid for my slashing, by +going to the hulks for fifteen years. My time is up, and +I am free from surveillance. I can now live in the +capital, without fear of the 'beaks;' and I have never +prigged,—have I, La Goualeuse?"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span></p> + +<p>"No, he was never a thief," said the girl.</p> + +<p>"Come along, then, and let us have a glass of something +together, and I'll tell you who I am," said the +unknown. "Come, don't let us bear malice."</p> + +<p>"Bear malice! Devil a bit! You are master,—I +confess it. You do know how to handle your fists; +I never knew anything like it. Thunder and lightning! +how your thumps fell on my sconce,—I never +felt anything like it. Yours is a new game, and you +must teach it to me."</p> + +<p>"I will recommence whenever you like."</p> + +<p>"Not on me, though, thank ye,—not on me," exclaimed +the Chourineur, laughing; "your blows fell as if +from a sledge-hammer; I am still giddy from them. +But do you know Bras Rouge, in whose passage you +were?"</p> + +<p>"Bras Rouge?" said the unknown, who appeared disagreeably +surprised at the question; adding, however, +with an indifferent air, "I do not know Bras Rouge. +Is he the only person who inhabits this abode? It +rained in torrents, and I took shelter in the alley. You +meant to beat this poor girl, and I have thrashed you,—that's +all."</p> + +<p>"You're right; I have nothing to do with your affairs. +Bras Rouge has a room here, but does not occupy +it often. He is usually at his <i>estaminet</i> in the Champs +Elysées. But what's the good of talking about him?" +Then turning to the Goualeuse, "On my word, you are a +good wench, and I would not have beaten you; you +know I would not harm a child,—it was only my joke. +Never mind; it was very good of you not to set on this +friend of yours against me when I was down, and at his +mercy. Come and drink with us; he pays for all. By +the way, my trump," said he to the unknown, "what say +you, instead of going to tipple, shall we go and have +a crust for supper with the ogress at the White Rabbit? +It is a <i>tapis-franc</i>."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span></p> + +<p>"With all my heart. I will pay for the supper. +You'll come with us, Goualeuse?" inquired the unknown.</p> + +<p>"Thanks, sir," she replied, "but, after having seen +your struggle, it has made my heart beat so that I have +no appetite."</p> + +<p>"Pooh! pooh! one shoulder of mutton pokes the +other down," said the Chourineur; "the cookery at +the White Rabbit is first-rate."</p> + +<p>The three personages then, in perfect amity, bent +their steps together towards the tavern.</p> + +<p>During the contest between the Chourineur and the +unknown, a charcoal-seller, of huge size, ensconced in +another passage, had contemplated with much anxiety +the progress of the combat, but without attempting to +offer the slightest assistance to either antagonist. When +the unknown, the Chourineur, and the Goualeuse proceeded +to the public-house, the charcoal-man followed +them.</p> + +<p>The beaten man and the Goualeuse first entered the +<i>tapis-franc</i>; the unknown was following, when the charcoal-man +accosted him, and said, in a low voice, in the +German language, and in a most respectful tone of +remonstrance, "Pray, your highness, be on your guard."</p> + +<p>The unknown shrugged his shoulders, and rejoined +his new companion. The charcoal-dealer did not leave +the door of the cabaret, but listened attentively, and +gazed from time to time through a small hole which +had been accidentally made in the thick coat of whitening, +with which the windows of such haunts as these are +usually covered on the inside.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span></p> +<h3>CHAPTER II.</h3> + +<h5>THE OGRESS.</h5> + + +<p>The White Rabbit is situated in the centre of the Rue +aux Fêves. This tavern occupies the ground floor of a +lofty house, the front of which is formed by two windows, +which are styled "a guillotine." Hanging from the front +of the door leading to a dark and arched passage, was an +oblong lamp, on the cracked panes of which were written, +in red letters, "Nightly Lodgings Here."</p> + +<p>The Chourineur, the unknown, and the Goualeuse +entered into a large but low apartment, with the ceiling +smoked, and crossed by black rafters, just visible by the +flickering light of a miserable suspended lamp. The +cracked walls, formerly covered with plaster, were now +ornamented in places with coarse drawings, or sentences +of flash and obscenity.</p> + +<p>The floor, composed of earth beaten together with +saltpetre, was thick with dirt; an armful of straw—an +apology for a carpet—was placed at the foot of the +ogress's counter, which was at the right hand of the door, +just beneath the dim lantern.</p> + +<p>On each side of this room there were six tables, one +end of each of which was nailed to the wall, as well as +the benches on either side of them. At the farther end +was a door leading to a kitchen; on the right, near the +counter, was a passage which led into a den where +persons slept for the night at three halfpence a head.</p> + +<p>A few words will describe the ogress and her guests. +The lady was called Mother Ponisse; her triple trade<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span> +consisted in letting furnished apartments, keeping a +public-house, and <i>lending</i> clothes to the miserable +creatures who infest these foul streets.</p> + +<p>The ogress was about forty years of age, bulky, fat, +and heavy. She had a full colour, and strong symptoms +of a beard. Her deep voice, her enormous arms, and +coarse hands betokened uncommon strength. She wore +on her cap a large red and yellow handkerchief; a shawl +of rabbit-skin was crossed over her bosom, and tied +behind; her woollen gown fell upon black wooden shoes, +scorched almost black by the small stove at which she +warmed her feet; and, to crown her beauty, she had a +copper complexion, which the use of strong liquors had +materially tended to heighten.</p> + +<p>The counter, covered with lead, was decked with jugs +with iron hoops, and various pewter measures. In an +open cupboard, fastened to the wall, there were several +flasks of glass, so fashioned as to represent the pedestrian +figure of the Emperor. These bottles contained sundry +cordials, red and green in colour, and known by the +names of "Drops for the Brave," "Ratafia of the Column," +etc., etc.</p> + +<p>A large black cat, with green eyes, was sitting near +the ogress, and seemed the familiar demon of the place. +Then, in strange contrast, a holy branch of boxwood, +bought at church by the ogress, was suspended at the +back of an old cuckoo clock.</p> + +<p>Two marvellously ill-favoured fellows, with unshaven +beards, and their garb all in tatters, hardly tasted of the +pitcher of wine before them, and conversed together in +low voices, and with uneasy aspect. One of the two, +very pale and livid, pulled, from time to time, his shabby +skull-cap over his brows, and concealed as much as possible +his left hand, and, even when compelled to use it, +he did so with caution.</p> + +<p>Further on there was a young man, hardly sixteen +years of age, with beardless chin, and a countenance<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span> +wan, wrinkled, and heavy, his eye dull, and his long +black hair straggling down his neck. This youthful +rake, the emblem of precocious vice, was smoking a short +black pipe. His back was resting against the wall, and +his two hands were in the pockets of his blouse, and his +legs stretched along the bench. He did not cease smoking +for a moment, unless it was to drink from a cannikin +of brandy placed before him.</p> + +<p>The other inmates of the <i>tapis-franc</i>, men and women, +presented no remarkable characteristics. There was the +ferocious or embruted face,—the vulgar and licentious +mirth; but from time to time there was a deep and dull +silence. Such were the guests of the <i>tapis-franc</i> when +the unknown, the Chourineur, and the Goualeuse +entered.</p> + +<p>These three persons play such important parts in our +recital, that we must put them in relief.</p> + +<p>The Chourineur was a man of lofty stature and athletic +make, with hair of a pale brown, nearly white; thick +eyebrows, and enormous whiskers of deep red. The +sun's rays, misery, and the severe toil of the galleys +had bronzed his skin to that deep and olive hue which +is peculiar to convicts. In spite of his horrible nickname, +his features did not express ferocity, but a sort of +coarse familiarity and irrepressible audacity. We have +said already that the Chourineur was clothed in trousers +and frock of blue cotton, and on his head he had one +of those large straw hats usually worn by workmen in +timber-yards, and barge-emptiers.</p> + +<p>The Goualeuse was, perhaps, about sixteen and a half +years old. A forehead, of the purest and whitest, surmounted +a face of perfect oval and angel-like expression; +a fringe of eyelids, so long that they curled slightly, half +veiled her large blue eyes, which had a melancholy expression. +The down of early youth graced cheeks lightly +coloured with a scarlet tinge. Her small and rosy +mouth, which hardly ever smiled, her nose, straight,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span> +and delicately chiselled, her rounded chin, had, in their +combined expression, a nobility and a sweetness such +as we can only find in the most beautiful of Raphael's +portraits. On each side of her fair temples was a band +of hair, of the most splendid auburn hue, which descended +in luxuriant ringlets half way down her cheeks, +and was then turned back behind the ear, a portion of +which—ivory shaded with carnation—was thus visible, +and was then lost under the close folds of a large cotton +handkerchief, with blue checks, tied, as it is called, <i>en +marmotte</i>. Her graceful neck, of dazzling whiteness, was +encircled by a small necklace of grains of coral. Her +gown, of brown stuff, though much too large, could not +conceal a charming form, supple and round as a cane; +a worn-out small orange-coloured shawl, with green +fringe, was crossed over her bosom.</p> + +<p>The lovely voice of the Goualeuse had made a strong +impression on her unknown defender, and, in sooth, that +voice, so gentle, so deliciously modulated and harmonious, +had an attraction so irresistible that the horde of +villains and abandoned women, in the midst of whom +this unfortunate girl lived, often begged her to sing, and +listened to her with rapture.</p> + +<p>The Goualeuse had another name, given, doubtless, to +the maiden sweetness of her countenance,—she was also +called Fleur-de-Marie.</p> + +<p>The defender of La Goualeuse (we shall call the +unknown Rodolph) appeared about thirty-six years +of age; his figure, tall, graceful, and admirably proportioned, +yet did not betoken the astonishing vigour +which he had displayed in his rencounter with the +Chourineur.</p> + +<p>It would have been difficult to assign a decided character +to the physiognomy of Rodolph. Certain wrinkles +in his forehead betokened a man of meditation; and yet +the firm expression of his mouth, the dignified and bold +carriage of the head, assured us of the man of action, +whose physical strength and presence of mind would +always command an ascendancy over the multitude.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 325px;"><a name="image22" id="image22"></a> +<img src="images/i002.jpg" width="325" height="500" alt="The Chourineur, Rodolph, and La Goualeuse" title="The Chourineur, Rodolph, and La Goualeuse" /> +<span class="caption"><i>The Chourineur, Rodolph, and La Goualeuse</i><br /> +<span class="artist">Etching by Adrian Marcel, after the drawing by Frank T. Merrill</span></span> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span></p> + +<p>In his struggle with the Chourineur, Rodolph had +neither betrayed anger nor hatred. Confident in his +own strength, his address, and agility, he had only +shown a contempt for the brute beast which he +subdued.</p> + +<p>We will finish this bodily picture of Rodolph by saying +that his features, regularly handsome, seemed too +beautiful for a man. His eyes were large, and of a +deep hazel, his nose aquiline, his chin rather projecting, +his hair bright chestnut, of the same shade as his +eyebrows, which were strongly arched, and his small +moustache, which was fine and silky. Thanks to the +manners and the language which he assumed with so +much ease, Rodolph was exactly like the other guests +of the ogress. Round his graceful neck, as elegantly +modelled as that of the Indian Bacchus, he wore a black +cravat, carelessly tied, the ends of which fell on the +collar of his blue blouse. A double row of nails decorated +his heavy shoes, and, except that his hands were +of most aristocratic shape, nothing distinguished him +from the other guests of the <i>tapis-franc</i>; though, in a +moral sense, his resolute air, and what we may term +his bold serenity, placed an immense distance between +them.</p> + +<p>On entering the <i>tapis-franc</i>, the Chourineur, laying +one of his heavy hands on the shoulders of Rodolph, +cried, "Hail the conqueror of the Chourineur! Yes, +my boys, this springald has floored me; and if any +young gentleman wishes to have his ribs smashed, or +his 'nob in Chancery,' even including the Schoolmaster +and the Skeleton, here is their man; I will answer for +him, and back him!"</p> + +<p>At these words, all present, from the ogress to the +lowest ruffian of the <i>tapis-franc</i>, contemplated the victor +of the Chourineur with respect and fear. Some, moving<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span> +their glasses and jugs to the end of the table at which +they were seated, offered Rodolph a seat, if he were +inclined to sit near them; others approached the Chourineur, +and asked him, in a low voice, for the particulars +of this unknown, who had made his entrance into their +world in so striking a manner.</p> + +<p>Then the ogress, accosting Rodolph with one of her +most gracious smiles,—a thing unheard of, and almost +deemed fabulous, in the annals of the White Rabbit,—rose +from the bar to take the orders of her guest, and +know what he desired to have for the refreshment of +his party,—an attention which she did not evince +either to the Schoolmaster or the Skeleton, two fearful +ruffians, who made even the Chourineur tremble.</p> + +<p>One of the men with the villainous aspect, whom we +have before described as being very pale, hiding his left +hand, and continually pulling his cap over his brows, +leaned towards the ogress, who was carefully wiping the +table where Rodolph had taken his seat, and said to her, +in a hoarse tone, "Hasn't the Gros-Boiteux been here +to-day?"</p> + +<p>"No," said Mother Ponisse.</p> + +<p>"Nor yesterday?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, he came yesterday."</p> + +<p>"Was Calebasse with him,—the daughter of Martial, +who was guillotined? You know whom I mean,—the +Martials of the Ile de Ravageur?"</p> + +<p>"What! do you take me for a spy, with your questions? +Do you think I watch my customers?" said the +ogress, in a brutal tone.</p> + +<p>"I have an appointment to-night with the Gros-Boiteux +and the Schoolmaster," replied the fellow; "we +have some business together."</p> + +<p>"That's your affair,—a set of ruffians, as you are, +altogether."</p> + +<p>"Ruffians!" said the man, much incensed; "it is +such ruffians you get your living by."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Will you hold your jaw?" said the Amazon, with +a threatening gesture, and lifting, as she spoke, the +pitcher she held in her hand.</p> + +<p>The man resumed his place, grumbling as he did +so.</p> + +<p>"The Gros-Boiteux has, perhaps, stayed to give that +young fellow Germain, who lives in the Rue du Temple, +his gruel," said he, to his companion.</p> + +<p>"What, do they mean to <i>do</i> for him?"</p> + +<p>"No, not quite, but to make him more careful in +future. It appears he has 'blown the gaff' in the job at +Nantes, so Bras Rouge declares."</p> + +<p>"Why, that is Gros-Boiteux's affair; he has only just +left prison, and has his hands full already."</p> + +<p>Fleur-de-Marie had followed the Chourineur into the +tavern of the ogress, and he, responding to a nod given +to him by the young scamp with the jaded aspect, said, +"Ah, Barbillon! what, pulling away at the old stuff?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; I would rather fast, and go barefoot any day, than +be without my drops for my throttle, and the weed for my +pipe," said the rapscallion, in a thick, low, hoarse voice, +without moving from his seat, and puffing out volumes +of tobacco-smoke.</p> + +<p>"Good evening, Fleur-de-Marie," said the ogress, +looking with a prying eye on the clothes of the poor +girl,—clothes which she had lent her. After her +scrutiny, she said, in a tone of coarse satisfaction, "It's +really a pleasure—so it is—to lend one's good clothes +to you; you are as clean as a kitten, or else I would +never have trusted you with that shawl. Such a beauty +as that orange one is, I would never have trusted it to +such gals as Tourneuse and Boulotte; but I have taken +every care <i>on</i> you ever since you came here six weeks +ago; and, if the truth must be said, there is not a tidier +nor more nicer girl than you in all the Cité; that +there ain't; though you be al'ays so sad like, and too +particular."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span></p> + +<p>The Goualeuse sighed, turned her head, and said +nothing.</p> + +<p>"Why, mother," said Rodolph to the old hag, "you +have got some holy boxwood, I see, over your cuckoo," +and he pointed with his finger to the consecrated bough +behind the old clock.</p> + +<p>"Why, you heathen, would you have us live like +dogs?" replied the ogress. Then addressing Fleur-de-Marie, +she added, "Come, now, Goualeuse, tip us one of +your pretty little ditties" (<i>goualantes</i>).</p> + +<p>"Supper, supper first, Mother Ponisse," said the +Chourineur.</p> + +<p>"Well, my lad of wax, what can I do for you?" said +the ogress to Rodolph, whose good-will she was desirous +to conciliate, and whose support she might, perchance, +require.</p> + +<p>"Ask the Chourineur; he orders, I pay."</p> + +<p>"Well, then," said the ogress, turning to the bandit, +"what will you have for supper, you 'bad lot?'"</p> + +<p>"Two quarts of the best wine, at twelve sous, three +crusts of wheaten bread, and a harlequin,"<a name="FNanchor_1_5" id="FNanchor_1_5"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_5" class="fnanchor">[5]</a> said the +Chourineur, after considering for a few moments what he +should order.</p> + +<div class="footnotes"> +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_1_5" id="Footnote_1_5"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_5"><span class="label">[5]</span></a> A "harlequin" is a collection of odds and ends of fish, flesh, and fowl, +after they come from table, which the Parisian, providing for the class to +which the Chourineur belongs, finds a profitable and popular composition.</p></div> +</div> + +<p>"Ah! you are a dainty dog, I know, and as fond as +ever of them harlequins."</p> + +<p>"Well, now, Goualeuse," said the Chourineur, "are +you hungry?"</p> + +<p>"No, Chourineur."</p> + +<p>"Would you like anything better than a harlequin, +my lass?" said Rodolph.</p> + +<p>"No, I thank you; I have no appetite."</p> + +<p>"Come, now," said the Chourineur, with a brutal grin, +"look my master in the face like a jolly wench. You +have no objection, I suppose?"</p> + +<p>The poor girl blushed, and did not look at Rodolph.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span> +A few moments afterwards, and the ogress herself placed +on the table a pitcher of wine, bread, and a harlequin, of +which we will not attempt to give an idea to the reader, +but which appeared most relishing to the Chourineur; +for he exclaimed, "<i>Dieu de Dieu!</i> what a dish! What +a glorious dish! It is a regular omnibus; there is something +in it to everybody's taste. Those who like fat can +have it; so can they who like lean; as well as those who +prefer sugar, and those who choose pepper. There's +tender bits of chicken, biscuit, sausage, tarts, mutton-bones, +pastry crust, fried fish, vegetables, woodcock's +heads, cheese, and salad. Come, eat, Goualeuse, eat; it +is so capital! You have been to a wedding breakfast +somewhere this morning."</p> + +<p>"No more than on other mornings. I ate this morning, +as usual, my ha'porth of milk, and my ha'porth of +bread."</p> + +<p>The entrance of another personage into the cabaret interrupted +all conversation for a moment, and everybody +turned his head in the direction of the newcomer, who +was a middle-aged man, active and powerful, wearing a +loose coat and cap. He was evidently quite at home in +the <i>tapis-franc</i>, and, in language familiar to all the guests, +requested to be supplied with supper. He was so placed +that he could observe the two ill-looking scoundrels who +had asked after Gros-Boiteux and the Schoolmaster. +He did not take his eyes off them; but in consequence +of their position, they could not see that they were the +objects of such marked and constant attention.</p> + +<p>The conversation, momentarily interrupted, was resumed. +In spite of his natural audacity, the Chourineur +showed a deference for Rodolph, and abstained from +familiarity.</p> + +<p>"By Jove," said he to Rodolph, "although I have +smarted for it, yet I am very glad to have met with you."</p> + +<p>"What! because you relish the harlequin?"</p> + +<p>"Why, may be so; but more because I am all on the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span> +fret to see you 'serve out' the Schoolmaster. To see +him who has always crowed over me, crowed over in his +turn would do me good."</p> + +<p>"Do you suppose, then, that for your amusement I +mean to spring at the Schoolmaster, and pin him like a +bull-dog?"</p> + +<p>"No, but he'll have at you in a moment, when he +learns that you are a better man than he," replied the +Chourineur, rubbing his hands.</p> + +<p>"Well, I have coin enough left to pay him in full," +said Rodolph, in a careless tone; "but it is horrible +weather: what say you to a cup of brandy with sugar +in it?"</p> + +<p>"That's the ticket!" said the Chourineur.</p> + +<p>"And, that we may be better acquainted, we will tell +each other who we are," added Rodolph.</p> + +<p>"The Albinos called the Chourineur a freed convict, +worker at the wood that floats at St. Paul's Quay; frozen +in the winter, scorched in the summer, from twelve to +fifteen hours a day in the water; half man, half frog; +that's my description," said Rodolph's companion, making +him a military salute with his left hand. "Well, +now, and you, my master, this is your first appearance in +the Cité. I don't mean anything to offend; but you +entered head foremost against my skull, and beating the +drum on my carcass. By all that's ugly, what a rattling +you made, especially with these blows with which you +doubled me up! I never can forget them—thick as buttons—what +a torrent! But you have some trade besides +'polishing off' the Chourineur?"</p> + +<p>"I am a fan-painter, and my name is Rodolph."</p> + +<p>"A fan-painter! Ah! that's the reason, then, that your +hands are so white," added the Chourineur. "If all +your fellow workmen are like you, there must be a tidy +lot of you. But, as you are a workman, what brings you +to a <i>tapis-franc</i> in the Cité, where there are only prigs, +cracksmen or freed convicts like myself, and who only<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span> +come here because we cannot go elsewhere? This is no +place for you. Honest mechanics have their coffee-shops, +and don't talk slang."</p> + +<p>"I come here because I like good company."</p> + +<p>"Gammon!" said the Chourineur, shaking his head +with an air of doubt. "I found you in the passage of +Bras Rouge. Well, man, never mind. You say you +don't know him?"</p> + +<p>"What do you mean with all your nonsense about +your Bras Rouge? Let him go to the—"</p> + +<p>"Stay, master of mine. You, perhaps, distrust me; +but you are wrong, and if you like I will tell you my +history; but that is on condition that you teach me how +to give those precious thumps which settled my business +so quickly. What say you?"</p> + +<p>"I agree, Chourineur; tell me your story, and Goualeuse +will also tell hers."</p> + +<p>"Very well," replied the Chourineur; "it is not +weather to turn a mangy cur out-of-doors, and it will be +an amusement. Do you agree, Goualeuse?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, certainly; but my story is a very short one," +said Fleur-de-Marie.</p> + +<p>"And you will have to tell us your history, comrade +Rodolph," added the Chourineur.</p> + +<p>"Well, then, I'll begin."</p> + +<p>"Fan-painter!" said Goualeuse, "what a very pretty +trade!"</p> + +<p>"And how much can you earn if you stick close to +work?" inquired the Chourineur.</p> + +<p>"I work by the piece," responded Rodolph; "my +good days are worth three francs, sometimes four, in +summer, when the days are long."</p> + +<p>"And you are idle sometimes, you rascal?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, as long as I have money, though I do not +waste it. First, I pay ten sous for my night's lodging."</p> + +<p>"Your pardon, monseigneur; you sleep, then, at ten<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span> +sous, do you?" said the Chourineur, raising his hand +to his cap.</p> + +<p>The word monseigneur, spoken ironically by the Chourineur, +caused an almost imperceptible smile on the lips +of Rodolph, who replied, "Oh, I like to be clean and +comfortable."</p> + +<p>"Here's a peer of the realm for you! a man with +mines of wealth!" exclaimed the Chourineur; "he pays +ten sous for his bed!"</p> + +<p>"Well, then," continued Rodolph, "four sous for tobacco; +that makes fourteen sous; four sous for breakfast, +eighteen; fifteen sous for dinner; one or two sous +for brandy; that all comes to about thirty-four or thirty-five +sous a day. I have no occasion to work all the +week, and so the rest of the time I amuse myself."</p> + +<p>"And your family?" said the Goualeuse.</p> + +<p>"Dead," replied Rodolph.</p> + +<p>"Who were your friends?" asked the Goualeuse.</p> + +<p>"Dealers in old clothes and marine stores under the +pillars of the market-place."</p> + +<p>"How did you spend what they left you?" inquired +the Chourineur.</p> + +<p>"I was very young, and my guardian sold the stock; +and, when I came of age, he brought me in his debtor +for thirty francs; that was my inheritance."</p> + +<p>"And who is now your employer?" the Chourineur +demanded.</p> + +<p>"His name is Gauthier, in the Rue des Bourdonnais, +a beast—brute—thief—miser! He would almost as +soon lose the sight of an eye as pay his workmen. Now +this is as true a description as I can give you of him; so +let's have done with him. I learned my trade under +him from the time when I was fifteen years of age; I +have a good number in the Conscription, and my name +is Rodolph Durand. My history is told."</p> + +<p>"Now it's your turn, Goualeuse," said the Chourineur; +"I keep my history till last, as a <i>bonne bouche</i>."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span></p> +<h3>CHAPTER III.</h3> + +<h5>HISTORY OF LA GOUALEUSE.</h5> + + +<p>"Let us begin at the beginning," said the Chourineur.</p> + +<p>"Yes; your parents?" added Rodolph.</p> + +<p>"I never knew them," said Fleur-de-Marie.</p> + +<p>"The deuce!" said the Chourineur. "Well, that is +odd, Goualeuse! you and I are of the same family."</p> + +<p>"What! you, too, Chourineur?"</p> + +<p>"An orphan of the streets of Paris like you, my girl."</p> + +<p>"Then who brought you up, Goualeuse?" asked +Rodolph.</p> + +<p>"I don't know, sir. As far back as I can remember—I +was, I think, about six or seven years old—I was +with an old one-eyed woman, whom they call the +Chouette,<a name="FNanchor_1_6" id="FNanchor_1_6"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a> because she had a hooked nose, a green eye +quite round, and was like an owl with one eye out."</p> + +<div class="footnotes"> +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_1_6" id="Footnote_1_6"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_6"><span class="label">[6]</span></a> The Screech-owl.</p></div> +</div> + +<p>"Ha! ha! ha! I think I see her, the old night-bird!" +shouted the Chourineur, laughing.</p> + +<p>"The one-eyed woman," resumed Fleur-de-Marie, +"made me sell barley-sugar in the evenings on the +Pont Neuf; but that was only an excuse for asking +charity; and when I did not bring her in at least ten +sous, the Chouette beat me instead of giving me any +supper."</p> + +<p>"Are you sure the woman was not your mother?" +inquired Rodolph.</p> + +<p>"Quite sure; for she often scolded me for being<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span> +fatherless and motherless, and said she picked me up +one day in the street."</p> + +<p>"So," said the Chourineur, "you had a dance instead +of a meal, if you did not pick up ten sous?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. And after that I went to lie down on some +straw spread on the ground; when I was cold—very +cold."</p> + +<p>"I do not doubt it, for the feather of beans (straw) is +a very cold sort of stuff," said the Chourineur. "A dung-heap +is twice as good; but then people don't like your +smell, and say, 'Oh, the blackguard! where has he +been?'"</p> + +<p>This remark made Rodolph smile, whilst Fleur-de-Marie +thus continued: "Next day the one-eyed woman +gave me a similar allowance for breakfast as for supper, +and sent me to Montfauçon to get some worms to bait +for fish; for in the daytime the Chouette kept her +stall for selling fishing-lines, near the bridge of Notre +Dame. For a child of seven years of age, who is half +dead with hunger and cold, it is a long way from the +Rue de la Mortellerie to Montfauçon."</p> + +<p>"But exercise has made you grow as straight as an +arrow, my girl; you have no reason to complain of +that," said the Chourineur, striking a light for his pipe.</p> + +<p>"Well," said the Goualeuse, "I returned very, very +tired; then, at noon, the Chouette gave me a little bit +of bread."</p> + +<p>"Ah, eating so little has kept your figure as fine as a +needle, girl; you must not find fault with that," said +Chourineur, puffing out a cloud of tobacco-smoke. "But +what ails you, comrade—I mean, Master Rodolph? You +seem quite down like; are you sorry for the girl and her +miseries? Ah, we all have, and have had, our miseries!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, but not such miseries as mine, Chourineur," +said Fleur-de-Marie.</p> + +<p>"What! not I, Goualeuse? Why, my lass, you were a +queen to me! At least, when you were little you slept<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span> +on straw and ate bread; I passed my most comfortable +nights in the lime-kilns at Clichy, like a regular vagabond; +I fed on cabbage-stumps and other refuse vegetables, +which I picked up when and where I could; but +very often, as it was so far to the lime-kilns at Clichy, +and I was tired after my work, I slept under the large +stones at the Louvre; and then, in winter, I had white +sheets,—that is, whenever the snow fell."</p> + +<p>"A man is stronger; but a poor little girl—" said +Fleur-de-Marie. "And yet, with all that, I was as plump +as a skylark."</p> + +<p>"What! you remember that, eh?"</p> + +<p>"To be sure I do. When the Chouette beat me I fell +always at the first blow; then she stamped upon me, +screaming out, 'Ah, the nasty little brute! she hasn't a +farden's worth of strength,—she can't stand even two +thumps!' And then she called me Pegriotte (little +thief). I never had any other name,—that was my +baptismal name."</p> + +<p>"Like me. I had the baptism of a dog in a ditch, +and they called me 'Fellow,' or 'You, sir,' or 'Albino.' +It is really surprising, my wench, how much we resemble +each other!" said the Chourineur.</p> + +<p>"That's true,—in our misery," said Fleur-de-Marie, +who addressed herself to the Chourineur almost always, +feeling, in spite of herself, a sort of shame at the presence +of Rodolph, hardly venturing to raise her eyes to +him, although in appearance he belonged to that class +with whom she ordinarily lived.</p> + +<p>"And when you had fetched the worms for the +Chouette, what did you do?" inquired the Chourineur.</p> + +<p>"Why, she made me beg until night; then, in the +evening, she went to sell fried fish on the Pont Neuf. +Oh, dear! at that time it was a long while to wait for +my morsel of bread; and if I dared to ask the Chouette +for something to eat, she beat me and said, 'Get ten sous, +and then you shall have your supper.' Then I, being<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span> +very hungry, and as she hurt me very much, cried with +a very full heart and sore body. The Chouette tied my +little basket of barley-sugar round my neck, and stationed +me on the Pont Neuf, where, in winter, I was frozen to +death. Yet sometimes, in spite of myself, I slept as I +stood,—but not long; for the Chouette kicked me until +I awoke. I remained on the bridge till eleven o'clock, +my stock of barley-sugar hanging round my neck, and +often crying heartily. The passengers, touched by my +tears, sometimes gave me a sou; and then I gained ten +and sometimes fifteen sous, which I gave to the Chouette, +who searched me all over, and even looked in my mouth, +to see if I had kept back anything."</p> + +<p>"Well, fifteen sous was a good haul for a little bird +like you."</p> + +<p>"It was. And then the one-eyed woman seeing +that—"</p> + +<p>"With her one eye?" said the Chourineur, laughing.</p> + +<p>"Of course, because she had but one. Well, then, +she finding that when I cried I got most money, always +beat me severely before she put me on the bridge."</p> + +<p>"Brutal, but cunning."</p> + +<p>"Well, at last I got hardened to blows; and as the +Chouette got in a passion when I did not cry, why I, to +be revenged upon her, the more she thumped me the +more I laughed, although the tears came into my eyes +with the pain."</p> + +<p>"But, poor Goualeuse, did not the sticks of barley-sugar +make you long for them?"</p> + +<p>"Ah, yes, Chourineur; but I never tasted them. It +was my ambition, and my ambition ruined me. One +day, returning from Montfauçon, some little boys beat +me and stole my basket. I came back, well knowing +what was in store for me; and I had a shower of thumps +and no bread. In the evening, before going to the +bridge, the Chouette, savage because I had not brought +in anything the evening before, instead of beating me as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span> +usual to make me cry, made me bleed by pulling my +hair from the sides of the temples, where it is most +tender."</p> + +<p>"<i>Tonnerre!</i> that was coming it too strong," said the +bandit, striking his fist heavily on the table, and frowning +sternly. "To beat a child is no such great thing, +but to ill-use one so—Heaven and earth!"</p> + +<p>Rodolph had listened attentively to the recital of +Fleur-de-Marie, and now looked at the Chourineur with +astonishment: the display of such feeling quite surprised +him.</p> + +<p>"What ails you, Chourineur?" he inquired.</p> + +<p>"What ails me? Ails me? Why, have you no feeling? +That devil's dam of a Chouette who so brutally +used this girl! Are you as hard as your own fists?"</p> + +<p>"Go on, my girl," said Rodolph to Fleur-de-Marie, +without appearing to notice the Chourineur's appeal.</p> + +<p>"I have told you how the Chouette ill-used me to +make me cry. I was then sent on to the bridge with +my barley-sugar. The one-eyed was at her usual spot, +and from time to time shook her doubled fist at me. +However, as I had not broken my fast since the night +before, and as I was very hungry, at the risk of putting +the Chouette in a passion, I took a piece of barley-sugar, +and began to eat it."</p> + +<p>"Well done, girl!"</p> + +<p>"I ate another piece—"</p> + +<p>"Bravo! go it, my hearties!"</p> + +<p>"I found it so good, not from daintiness, but real hunger. +But then a woman, who sold oranges, cried out to +the one-eyed woman, 'Look ye there, Chouette; Pegriotte +is eating the barley-sugar!'"</p> + +<p>"Oh, thunder and lightning!" said the Chourineur; +"that would enrage her,—make her in a passion! Poor +little mouse, what a fright you were in when the Chouette +saw you!—eh?"</p> + +<p>"How did you get out of that affair, poor Goualeuse?"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span> +asked Rodolph, with as much interest as the +Chourineur.</p> + +<p>"Why, it was a serious matter to me,—but that was +afterwards; for the Chouette, although boiling over with +rage at seeing me devour the barley-sugar, could not +leave her stove, for the fish was frying."</p> + +<p>"Ha! ha! ha! True, true,—that was a difficult position +for her," said the Chourineur, laughing heartily.</p> + +<p>"At a distance, the Chouette threatened me with her +long iron fork; but when her fish was cooked, she came +towards me. I had only collected three sous, and I had +eaten six sous' worth. She did not say a word, but took +me by the hand and dragged me away with her. At +this moment, I do not know how it was that I did not +die on the spot with fright. I remember it as well as if +it was this very moment,—it was very near to New Year's +day, and there were a great many shops on the Pont +Neuf, all filled with toys, and I had been looking at them +all the evening with the greatest delight,—beautiful +dolls, little furnished houses,—you know how very +amusing such things are for a child."</p> + +<p>"You had never had any playthings, had you, Goualeuse?" +asked the Chourineur.</p> + +<p>"I? <i>Mon Dieu!</i> who was there to give me any playthings?" +said the girl, in a sad tone. "Well, the evening +passed. Although it was in the depth of winter, I +only had on a little cotton gown, no stockings, no shift, +and with wooden shoes on my feet: that was not enough +to stifle me with heat, was it? Well, when the old +woman took my hand, I burst out into a perspiration +from head to foot. What frightened me most was, that, +instead of swearing and storming as usual, she only kept +on grumbling between her teeth. She never let go my +hand, but made me walk so fast—so very fast—that I +was obliged to run to keep up with her, and in running +I had lost one of my wooden shoes; and as I did not +dare to say so, I followed her with one foot naked on the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span> +bare stones. When we reached home it was covered +with blood."</p> + +<p>"A one-eyed old devil's kin!" said the Chourineur, +again thumping the table in his anger. "It makes my +heart quite cold to think of the poor little thing trotting +along beside that cursed old brute, with her poor little +foot all bloody!"</p> + +<p>"We lived in a garret in the Rue de la Montellerie; +beside the entrance to our alley there was a dram-shop, +and there the Chouette went in, still dragging me by the +hand. She then had a half pint of brandy at the bar."</p> + +<p>"The deuce! Why, I could not drink that without +being quite fuddled!"</p> + +<p>"It was her usual quantity; perhaps that was the +reason why she beat me of an evening. Well, at last we +got up into our cock-loft; the Chouette double-locked +the door; I threw myself on my knees, and asked her +pardon for having eaten the barley-sugar. She did not +answer me, but I heard her mumbling to herself, as she +walked about the room, 'What shall I do this evening +to this little thief, who has eaten all that barley-sugar? +Ah, I see!' And she looked at me maliciously with her +one green eye. I was still on my knees, when she suddenly +went to a shelf and took down a pair of pincers."</p> + +<p>"Pincers!" exclaimed the Chourineur.</p> + +<p>"Yes, pincers."</p> + +<p>"What for?"</p> + +<p>"To strike you?" inquired Rodolph.</p> + +<p>"To pinch you?" said the Chourineur.</p> + +<p>"No, no," answered the poor girl, trembling at the +very recollection.</p> + +<p>"To pull out your hair?"</p> + +<p>"No; to take out one of my teeth."</p> + +<p>The Chourineur uttered a blasphemous oath, accompanied +with such furious imprecations that all the guests +in the <i>tapis-franc</i> looked at him with astonishment.</p> + +<p>"Why, what is the matter with you?" asked Rodolph.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span></p> + +<p>"The matter! the matter! I'll skin her alive, that +infernal old hag, if I can catch her! Where is she? Tell +me, where is she? Let me find her, and I'll throttle the +old—"</p> + +<p>"And did she really take out your tooth, my poor +child,—that wretched monster in woman's shape?" +demanded Rodolph, whilst the Chourineur was venting +his rage in a volley of the most violent reproaches.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir; but not at the first pull. How I suffered! +She held me with my head between her knees, where +she held it as if in a vice. Then, half with her pincers, +half with her fingers, she pulled out my tooth, and then +said, 'Now I will pull out one every day, Pegriotte; and +when you have not a tooth left I will throw you into the +river, and the fish shall eat you.'"</p> + +<p>"The old devil! To break and pull out a poor child's +teeth in that way!" exclaimed the Chourineur, with +redoubled fury.</p> + +<p>"And how did you escape her then?" inquired +Rodolph of the Goualeuse.</p> + +<p>"Next day, instead of going to Montfauçon, I went on +the side of the Champs Elysées, so frightened was I of +being drowned by the Chouette. I would have run to +the end of the world, rather than be again in the Chouette's +hands. After walking and walking, I fairly lost +myself; I had not begged a farthing, and the more I +thought the more frightened did I become. At night +I hid myself in a timber-yard, under some piles of wood. +As I was very little, I was able to creep under an old +door and hide myself amongst a heap of logs. I was so +hungry that I tried to gnaw a piece of the bark, but I +could not bite it,—it was too hard. At length I fell +asleep. In the morning, hearing a noise, I hid myself +still further back in the wood-pile. It was tolerably +warm, and, if I had had something to eat, I could not +have been better off for the winter."</p> + +<p>"Like me in the lime-kiln."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I did not dare to quit the timber-yard, for I fancied +that the Chouette would seek for me everywhere, to pull +out my teeth and drown me, and that she would be sure +to catch me if I stirred from where I was."</p> + +<p>"Stay, do not mention that old beast's name again,—it +makes the blood come into my eyes! The fact is, that +you have known misery,—bitter, bitter misery. Poor +little mite! how sorry I am that I threatened to beat you +just now, and frightened you. As I am a man, I did not +mean to do it."</p> + +<p>"Why, would you not have beaten me? I have no +one to defend me."</p> + +<p>"That's the very reason, because you are not like the +others,—because you have no one to take your part,—that +I would not have beaten you. When I say no one, +I do not mean our comrade Rodolph; but his coming was +a chance, and he certainly did give me my full allowance +when we met."</p> + +<p>"Go on, my child," said Rodolph. "How did you get +away from the timber-yard?"</p> + +<p>"Next day, about noon, I heard a great dog barking +under the wood-pile. I listened, and the bark came +nearer and nearer; then a deep voice exclaimed, 'My +dog barks,—somebody is hid in the yard!' 'They are +thieves,' said another voice; and the men then began to +encourage the dog, and cry, 'Find 'em! find 'em, lad!' +The dog ran to me, and, for fear of being bitten, I began +to cry out with all my might and main. 'Hark!' said +one of them; 'I hear the cry of a child.' They called +back the dog; I came out from the pile of wood, and saw +a gentleman and a man in a blouse. 'Ah, you little +thief! what are you doing in my timber-yard?' said the +gentleman, in a cross tone. I put my hands together +and said, 'Don't hurt me, pray. I have had nothing to +eat for two days, and I've run away from the Chouette, +who pulled out my tooth, and said she would throw me +over to the fishes. Not knowing where to sleep, I was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span> +passing before your door, and I slept for the night +amongst these logs, under this heap, not thinking I hurt +anybody.'</p> + +<p>"'I'm not to be gammoned by you, you little hussy! +You came to steal my logs. Go and call the watch,' +said the timber-merchant to his man."</p> + +<p>"Ah, the old vagabond! The old reprobate! Call the +watch! Why didn't he send for the artillery?" said +the Chourineur. "Steal his logs, and you only eight +years old! What an old ass!"</p> + +<p>"'Not true, sir,' his man replied. 'Steal your logs, +master! How can she do that? She is not so big as +the smallest piece!' 'You are right,' replied the timber-merchant; +'but if she does not come for herself, she +does for others. Thieves have a parcel of children, +whom they send to pry about and hide themselves to +open the doors of houses. She must be taken to the +commissary, and mind she does not escape.'"</p> + +<p>"Upon my life, this timber-merchant was more of a +log than any log in his own yard," said the Chourineur.</p> + +<p>"I was taken to the commissary," resumed Goualeuse. +"I accused myself of being a wanderer, and they sent +me to prison. I was sent before the Tribunal, and +sentenced, as a rogue and vagabond, to remain until +I was sixteen years of age in a house of correction. I +thank the judges much for their kindness; for in prison +I had food, I was not beaten, and it was a paradise after +the cock-loft of the Chouette. Then, in prison I learned +to sew; but, sad to say, I was idle: I preferred +singing to work, and particularly when I saw the sun +shine. Ah, when the sun shone on the walls of the +prison I could not help singing; and then, when I could +sing, I seemed no longer to be a prisoner. It was after I +began to sing so much that they called me Goualeuse, +instead of Pegriotte. Well, when I was sixteen, I left +the gaol. At the door, I found the ogress here, and two +or three old women, who had come to see my fellow<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span> +prisoners, and who had always told me that when I left +the prison they would find work for me."</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, I see," said the Chourineur.</p> + +<p>"'My pretty little maid,' said the ogress and her old +companions, 'come and lodge with us; we will give you +good clothes, and then you may amuse yourself.' I +didn't like them, and refused, saying to myself, 'I know +how to sew very well, and I have two hundred francs in +hand. I have been eight years in prison, I should like +to enjoy myself a bit,—that won't hurt anybody; work +will come when the money is spent.' And so I began to +spend my two hundred francs. Ah, that was my mistake," +added Fleur-de-Marie, with a sigh. "I ought +first to have got my work; but I hadn't a soul on earth +to advise me. At sixteen, to be thrown on the city of +Paris, as I was, one is so lonely; and what is done is +done. I have done wrong, and I have suffered for it. +I began then to spend my money: first, I bought flowers +to put in my room,—I do love flowers!—then I bought +a gown, a nice shawl, and I took a walk in the Bois de +Boulogne, and I went to St. Germains, Vincennes, and +other country places. Oh, how I love the country!"</p> + +<p>"With a lover by your side, my girl?" asked the +Chourineur.</p> + +<p>"Oh, <i>mon Dieu!</i> no! I like to be my own mistress. +I had my little excursions with a friend who was in +prison with me,—a good little girl as can be: they call +her Rigolette, because she is always laughing."</p> + +<p>"Rigolette! Rigolette! I don't know her," said the +Chourineur, who appeared to be appealing to his memory.</p> + +<p>"I didn't think you knew her. I am sure Rigolette +was very well behaved in prison, and always so gay and +so industrious, she took out with her when she left +the prison at least four hundred francs that she had +earned. And then she is so particular!—you should +see her! When I say I had no one to advise me, I am +wrong: I ought to have listened to her; for, after having<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span> +had a week's amusement together, she said to me, 'Now +we have had such a holiday, we ought to try for work, +and not spend our money in waste.' I, who was so +happy in the fields and the woods,—it was just at the +end of spring, this year,—I answered, 'Oh, I must be +idle a little longer, and then I will work hard.' Since +that time I have not seen Rigolette, but I heard a few +days since that she was living near the Temple,—that +she was a famous needlewoman, and earned at least +twenty-five sous a-day, and has a small workroom of her +own; but now I could not for the world see her again,—I +should die with shame if I met her."</p> + +<p>"So, then, my poor girl," said Rodolph, "you spent +your money in the country,—you like the country, do +you?"</p> + +<p>"Like it? I love it! Oh, what would I not give to +live there? Rigolette, on the contrary, prefers Paris, +and likes to walk on the Boulevards; but she is so nice +and so kind, she went into the country only to please +me."</p> + +<p>"And you did not even leave yourself a few sous to +live upon whilst you found work?" said the Chourineur.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I had reserved about fifty francs; but it happened +that I had for my washerwoman a woman called +Lorraine, a poor thing, with none but the good God to +protect her. She was then very near her confinement, +and yet was obliged all day long to be with her hands +and feet in her washing-tubs. She fell sick, and, not +being able to work, applied for admittance to a lying-in +hospital, but there was no room. She could not work, +and her time was very near at hand, and she had not a +son to pay for the bed in a garret, from which they +drove her. Fortunately, she met one day, at the end of +the Pont Notre-Dame, with Goubin's wife, who had been +hiding for four days in a cellar of a house which was +being pulled down behind the Hôtel Dieu—"</p> + +<p>"But why was Goubin's wife hiding?"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span></p> + +<p>"To escape from her husband, who threatened to kill +her; and she only went out at night to buy some bread, +and it was then she met with the poor Lorraine, ill, and +hardly able to drag herself along, for she was expecting +to be brought to bed every hour. Well, it seems this +Goubin's wife took her to the cellar where she was +hiding,—it was just a shelter, and no more. There she +shared her bread and straw with the poor Lorraine, who +was confined in this cellar of a poor little infant; her +only covering and bed was straw! Well, it seems that +Goubin's wife could not bear it, and so, going out at all +risks, even of being killed by her husband, who was +looking for her everywhere, she left the cellar in open +day, and came to me. She knew I had still a little +money left, and that I could assist her if I would; so, +when Helmina had told me all about poor Lorraine, who +was obliged to lie with her new-born babe on straw, I +told her to bring them both to my room at once, and I +would take a chamber for her next to mine. This I did; +and, oh, how happy she was, poor Lorraine, when she +found herself in a bed, with her babe beside her in a +little couch which I had bought for her! Helmina and +I nursed her until she was able to get about again, +and then, with the rest of my money, I enabled her to +return to her washing-tubs."</p> + +<p>"And when all your money was spent on Lorraine +and her infant, what did you do, my child?" inquired +Rodolph.</p> + +<p>"I looked out for work; but it was too late. I can sew +very well, I have good courage, and thought that I had +only to ask for work and get it. Ah! how I deceived +myself! I went into a shop where they sell ready-made +linen, and asked for employment, and as I would not +tell a story, I said I had just left prison. They showed +me the door, without making me any answer. I begged +they would give me a trial, and they pushed me into the +street as if I had been a thief. Then I remembered, too<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span> +late, what Rigolette had told me. Little by little I sold +my small stock of clothes and linen, and when all was +gone they turned me out of my lodging. I had not +tasted food for two days; I did not know where to sleep. +At this moment I met the ogress and one of her old +women who knew where I lodged, and was always +coming about me since I left prison. They told me +they would find me work, and I believed them. I went +with them, so exhausted for want of food that my senses +were gone. They gave me brandy to drink, and—and +—here I am!" said the unhappy creature, hiding her +face in her hands.</p> + +<p>"Have you lived a long time with the ogress, my +poor girl?" asked Rodolph, in accents of the deepest +compassion.</p> + +<p>"Six weeks, sir," replied Goualeuse, shuddering as +she spoke.</p> + +<p>"I see,—I see," said the Chourineur; "I know you +now as well as if I were your father and mother, and +you had never left my lap. Well, well, this is a confession +indeed!"</p> + +<p>"It makes you sad, my girl, to tell the story of your +life," said Rodolph.</p> + +<p>"Alas! sir," replied Fleur-de-Marie, sorrowfully, "since +I was born this is the first time it ever happened to me +to recall all these things at once, and my tale is not a +merry one."</p> + +<p>"Well," said the Chourineur, ironically, "you are +sorry, perhaps, that you are not a kitchen-wench in a +cook-shop, or a servant to some old brutes who think of +no one but themselves."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" said Fleur-de-Marie, with a deep sigh, "to be +quite happy, we must be quite virtuous."</p> + +<p>"Oh, what is your little head about now?" exclaimed +the Chourineur, with a loud burst of laughter. "Why +not count your rosary in honour of your father and +mother, whom you never knew?"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span></p> + +<p>"My father and mother abandoned me in the street +like a puppy that is one too many in the house; perhaps +they had not enough to feed themselves," said Goualeuse, +with bitterness. "I want nothing of them,—I complain +of nothing,—but there are lots happier than mine."</p> + +<p>"Yours! Why, what would you have? You are as +handsome as a Venus, and yet only sixteen and a half; +you sing like a nightingale, behave yourself very +prettily, are called Fleur-de-Marie, and yet you complain! +What will you say, I should like to know, when +you will have a stove under your 'paddlers,' and a +chinchilla boa, like the ogress?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I shall never be so old as she is."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps you have a charm for never growing any +older?"</p> + +<p>"No; but I could not lead such a life. I have already +a bad cough."</p> + +<p>"Ah, I see you already in the 'cold-meat box.' Go +along, you silly child, you!"</p> + +<p>"Do you often have such thoughts as these, Goualeuse?" +said Rodolph.</p> + +<p>"Sometimes. You, perhaps, M. Rodolph, understand +me. In the morning, when I go to buy my milk from +the milkwoman at the corner of Rue de la Vieille-Draperie, +with the sous which the ogress gives me, and see +her go away in her little cart drawn by her donkey, I +do envy her so, and I say to myself, 'She is going into +the country, to the pure air, to her home and her +family;' and then I return alone into the garret of the +ogress, where you cannot see plainly even at noonday."</p> + +<p>"Well, child, be good—laugh at your troubles—be +good," said the Chourineur.</p> + +<p>"Good! <i>mon Dieu!</i> and how do you mean be good? +The clothes I wear belong to the ogress, and I am in +debt to her for my board and lodging. I can't stir +from her; she would have me taken up as a thief. I +belong to her, and I must pay her."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span></p> + +<p>When she had uttered these last words, the unhappy +girl could not help shuddering, and a tear trembled in +her long eyelashes.</p> + +<p>"Well, but remain as you are, and do not compare +yourself to a country milkwoman," said the Chourineur. +"Are you taking leave of your senses? Only think, you +may yet cut a figure in the capital, whilst the milkwoman +must boil the pot for her brats, milk her cows, gather +grass for her rabbits, and, perhaps, after all, get a black +eye from her husband when he comes home from the +pot-house. Why, it is really ridiculous to hear you talk +of envying her."</p> + +<p>The Goualeuse did not reply; her eye was fixed, her +heart was full, and the expression of her face was painfully +distressed. Rodolph had listened to the recital, +made with so painful a frankness, with deep interest. +Misery, destitution, ignorance of the world, had weighed +down this wretched girl, cast at sixteen years of age on +the wide world of Paris!</p> + +<p>Rodolph involuntarily thought of a beloved child whom +he had lost,—a girl, dead at six years of age, and who, +had she survived, would have been, like Fleur-de-Marie, +sixteen years and a half old. This recollection excited +the more highly his solicitude for the unhappy creature +whose narration he had just heard.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span></p> +<h3>CHAPTER IV.</h3> + +<h5>THE CHOURINEUR'S HISTORY.</h5> + + +<p>The reader has not forgotten the two guests at the +<i>tapis-franc</i> who were watched so closely by the third individual +who had come into the cabaret. We have said +that one of these fellows, who had on a Greek cap, and +concealed his left hand with much care, asked the ogress +if the Schoolmaster and Gros-Boiteux had not arrived.</p> + +<p>During the story of the Goualeuse, which they could +not overhear, they had been constantly talking in a very +low tone, throwing occasional hurried glances at the +door. He who wore the Greek cap said to his comrade, +"The Gros-Boiteux does not 'show,' nor the +Schoolmaster."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps the Skeleton has 'done for him,' and made +off with the 'swag.'"</p> + +<p>"A precious 'go' that would be for us, who 'laid the +plant,' and look out for our 'snacks,'" replied the other.</p> + +<p>The newcomer, who observed the two men, was seated +too far off to hear a word they said, but, after having +cautiously consulted a small paper concealed at the bottom +of his cap, he appeared satisfied with his remarks, +rose from the table, and said to the ogress, who was +sleeping at the bar, with her feet on the stove, and her +great cat on her knee:</p> + +<p>"I say, Mother Ponisse, I shall soon be back again; +take care of my pitcher and my plate; I don't want any +one to make free with them."</p> + +<p>"Make yourself easy, my fine fellow," said Mother<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span> +Ponisse; "if your plate and pitcher are empty, no one +will touch them."</p> + +<p>The newcomer laughed loudly at the joke of the +ogress, and then slipped out, so that his departure was +unnoticed. At that moment when this man retired, and +before the door could be shut, Rodolph saw the charcoal-dealer, +whose black face and tall form we have already +alluded to, and he had just time to manifest to him, by +an impatient gesture, how much he disliked his watchful +attendance; but the charcoal-man did not appear to +heed this in the least, and still kept hanging about the +<i>tapis-franc</i>. The countenance of the Goualeuse became +still more saddened; with her back to the wall, her head +drooping on her bosom, her full blue eyes gazing mechanically +about her, the unfortunate being seemed +bowed down with the weight of her oppressive thoughts. +Two or three times, having met Rodolph's fixed look, she +turned away, unable to account to herself for the singular +impression which the unknown had caused her. +Weighed down and abashed at his presence, she almost +regretted having made so candid a narrative to him of +her unhappy life. The Chourineur, on the contrary, was +quite in high spirits; he had devoured the whole harlequin +without the least assistance; the wine and brandy +had made him very communicative; the fact of his having +found his master, as he called him, had been forgotten +in the generous conduct of Rodolph; and he also +detected so decided a physical superiority, that his +humiliation had given way to a sentiment of admiration, +mingled with fear and respect. This absence of rancour, +and the savage pride with which he boasted of never +having robbed, proved that the Chourineur was not as +yet thoroughly hardened. This had not escaped the +sagacity of Rodolph, and he awaited the man's recital +with curiosity.</p> + +<p>"Now, my boy," said he, "we are listening."</p> + +<p>The Chourineur emptied his glass, and thus began:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You, my poor girl, were at last taken to by the +Chouette, whom the devil confound! You never had a +shelter until the moment when you were imprisoned as +a vagabond. I can never recollect having slept in what +is called a bed before I was nineteen years of age,—a +happy age!—and then I became a trooper."</p> + +<p>"What, you have served, then, Chourineur?" said +Rodolph.</p> + +<p>"Three years; but you will hear all about it: the +stones of the Louvre, the lime-kilns of Clichy, and the +quarries of Montrouge, these were the hôtels of my +youth. Then I had my house in Paris and in the +country. Who but I—"</p> + +<p>"And what was your trade?"</p> + +<p>"Faith, master, I have a foggy recollection of having +strolled about in my childhood with an old rag-picker, +who almost thumped me to death; and it must be true, +for I have never since met one of these old Cupids, with +a wicker-work quiver, without a longing to pitch into +him,—a proof that one of them must have thumped me +when I was a child. My first employment was to help +the knackers to cut the horses' throats at Montfauçon. +I was about ten or twelve. When I began to slash +(<i>chouriner</i>) these poor old beasts, it had quite an impression +on me. At the month's end I thought no more +about it; on the contrary, I began to like my trade. +No one had his knife so sharpened and keen-edged as +mine; and that made me rejoice in using it. When I +had cut the animals' throats, they gave me for my +trouble a piece of the thigh of some animal that had +died of disease; for those that they slaughter are sold +to the 'cag-mag' shops near the School of Medicine, +who convert it into beef, mutton, veal, or game, according +to the taste of purchasers. However, when I got to +my morsel of horse's flesh, I was as happy as a king! +I went with it into the lime-kiln like a wolf to his lair, +and then, with the leave of the lime-burners, I made a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span> +glorious fry on the ashes. When the burners were not +at work, I picked up some dry wood at Romainville, set +light to it, and broiled my steak under the walls of the +bone-house. The meat certainly was bloody, and almost +raw, but that made a change."</p> + +<p>"And your name? What did they call you?" asked +Rodolph.</p> + +<p>"I had hair much more flaxen than now, and the +blood was always in my eyes, and so they called me the +'Albino.' The Albinos are the white rabbits amongst +men; they have red eyes," added the Chourineur, in +a grave tone, and, as it were, with a physiological +parenthesis.</p> + +<p>"And your relations? your family?"</p> + +<p>"My relations? Oh! they lodge at the same number +as the Goualeuse's. Place of my birth? Why, the first +corner of no-matter-what street, either on the right or +left-hand side of the way, and either going up or coming +down the kennel."</p> + +<p>"Then you have cursed your father and mother for +having abandoned you?"</p> + +<p>"Why, that would not have set my leg if I had +broken it! No matter; though it's true they played me +a scurvy trick in bringing me into the world. But I +should not have complained if they had made me as +beggars ought to be made; that is to say, without the +sense of cold, hunger, or thirst. Beggars who don't +like thieving would find it greatly to their advantage."</p> + +<p>"You were cold, thirsty, hungry, Chourineur, and yet +you did not steal?"</p> + +<p>"No; and yet I was horribly wretched. It's a fact, +that I have often gone with an empty bread-basket +(fasted) for two days at a time: that was more than my +share; but I never stole."</p> + +<p>"For fear of a gaol?"</p> + +<p>"Pooh!" said the Chourineur, shrugging his shoulders, +and laughing loudly, "I should then not have stolen<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span> +bread, for fear of getting my allowance, eh? An honest +man, I was famishing; a thief, I should have been +supported in prison, and right well, too! But I did not +steal, because—because—why, because the idea of +stealing never came across me; so that's all about +it!"</p> + +<p>This reply, noble as it was in itself, but of the rectitude +of which the Chourineur himself had no idea, perfectly +astonished Rodolph. He felt that the poor fellow +who had remained honest in the midst of the most cruel +privations was to be respected twofold, since the punishment +of the crime became a certain resource for him. +Rodolph held out his hand to this ill-used savage of +civilisation, whom misery had been unable wholly to corrupt. +The Chourineur looked at his host in astonishment,—almost +with respect; he hardly dared to touch +the hand tendered to him. He felt impressed with some +vague idea that there was a wide abyss between Rodolph +and himself.</p> + +<p>"'Tis well," said Rodolph to him, "you have heart +and honour."</p> + +<p>"Heart? honour? what, I? Come, now, don't chaff +me," he replied, with surprise.</p> + +<p>"To suffer misery and hunger rather than steal, is +to have heart and honour," said Rodolph, gravely.</p> + +<p>"Well, it may be," said the Chourineur, as if thinking, +"it may be so."</p> + +<p>"Does it astonish you?"</p> + +<p>"It really does; for people don't usually say such +things to me; they generally treat me as they would a +mangy dog. It's odd, though, the effect what you say +has on me. Heart! honour!" he repeated, with an air +which was actually pensive.</p> + +<p>"Well, what ails you?"</p> + +<p>"I' faith, I don't know," replied the Chourineur, in a +tone of emotion; "but these words, do you see, they +quite make my heart beat; and I feel more flattered<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span> +than if any one told me I was a 'better man' than either +the Skeleton or the Schoolmaster. I never felt anything +like it before. Be sure, though, that these words, and +the blows of the fist at the end of my tussle,—you did +lay 'em on like a good 'un,—not alluding to what you +pay for the supper, and the words you have said—in a +word," he exclaimed, bluntly, as if he could not find +language to express his thoughts, "make sure that in +life or death you may depend on the Chourineur."</p> + +<p>Rodolph, unwilling to betray his emotion, replied in a +tone as calm as he could assume, "How long did you go +on as an amateur knacker?"</p> + +<p>"Why, at first, I was quite sick of cutting up old +worn-out horses, who could not even kick; but when I +was about sixteen, and my voice began to get rough, it +became a passion—a taste—a relish—a rage—with +me to cut and slash. I did not care for anything but +that; not even eating and drinking. You should have +seen me in the middle of my work! Except an old pair +of woollen trousers, I was quite naked. When, with my +large and well-whetted knife in my hand, I had about +me fifteen or twenty horses waiting their turn, by Jupiter! +when I began to slaughter them, I don't know +what possessed me,—I was like a fury. My ears had +singing in them, and I saw everything <i>red</i>,—all was +red; and I slashed, and slashed, and slashed, until my +knife fell from my hands! Thunder! what happiness! +Had I had millions, I could have paid them to have +enjoyed my trade!"</p> + +<p>"It is that which has given you the habit of stabbing," +said Rodolph.</p> + +<p>"Very likely; but when I was turned of sixteen, the +passion became so strong that when I once began slashing, +I became mad; I spoiled my work; yes, I spoiled +the skins, because I slashed and cut them across and +across; for I was so furious that I could not see clearly. +At last they turned me out of the yard. I wanted<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span> +employment with the butchers, for I have always liked +that sort of business. Well, they quite looked down +upon me; they despised me as a shoemaker does a cobbler. +Then I had to seek my bread elsewhere, and I +didn't find it very readily; and this was the time when +my bread-basket was so often empty. At length I got +employment in the quarries at Montrouge; but, at the +end of two years, I was tired of going always around +like a squirrel in his cage, and drawing stone for twenty +sous a day. I was tall and strong, and so I enlisted in +a regiment. They asked my name, my age, and my +papers. My name?—the Albino. My age?—look at +my beard. My papers?—here's the certificate of the +master quarryman. As I was just the fellow for a +grenadier, they took me."</p> + +<p>"With your strength, courage, and taste for chopping +and slashing, you ought, in war-time, to have been made +an officer."</p> + +<p>"Thunder and lightning! what do you say? What! +to cut up English or Prussians! Why, that would have +been better than to cut up old horses; but, worse luck, +there was no war, but a great deal of discipline. An +apprentice tries to hit his master a thump; well, if he be +the weaker, why, he gets the worst of it; if he be the +stronger, he has the best of it; he is turned out-of-doors, +perhaps put into the cage,—and that is all. In the +army it is quite a different thing. One day our sergeant +had bullied me a good deal, to make me more attentive,—he +was right, for I was very slow; I did not like a +poke he gave me, and I kicked at him; he pushed me +again, I returned his poke; he collared me, and I gave +him a punch of the head. They fell on me, and then +my blood was up in my eyes, and I was enraged in a +moment. I had my knife in my hand—I belonged to +the cookery—and I 'went it my hardest.' I cut, +slashed,—slashed, chopped, as if I was in the slaughter-house. +I made 'cold meat' of the sergeant, wounded<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span> +two soldiers,—it was a real shambles; I gave the three +eleven wounds,—yes, eleven. Blood flowed, flowed +everywhere, blood, as though we were in the bone-house,—I +swam in it—"</p> + +<p>The brigand lowered his head with a sombre, sullen +air, and was silent.</p> + +<p>"What are you thinking of, Chourineur?" asked +Rodolph, with interest.</p> + +<p>"Nothing," he replied, abruptly; and then, with an +air of brutish carelessness, he added, "At length they +handcuffed me, and brought me before the 'big wigs,' +and I was cast for death."</p> + +<p>"You escaped, however?"</p> + +<p>"True; but I had fifteen years at the galleys instead +of being 'scragged.' I forgot to tell you that whilst in +the regiment I had saved two of my comrades from +drowning in the Marne, when we were quartered at +Milan. At another time,—you will laugh, and say I +am amphibious either in fire or water when saving men +or women,—at another time, being in garrison at Rouen, +all the wooden houses in one quarter were on fire, and +burning like so many matches. I am the lad for a fire, +and so I went to the place in an instant. They told me +that there was an old woman who was bedridden, and +could not escape from her room, which was already in +flames. I went towards it, and, by Jove! how it did +burn; it reminded me of the lime-kilns in my happy +days. However, I saved the old woman, although I had +the very soles of my feet scorched. Thanks to my having +done these things, and the cunning of my advocate, +my sentence was changed, and, instead of being 'scragged,' +I was only sent to the hulks for fifteen years. When I +found that my life would be spared, and I was to go to +the galleys, I would have jumped upon the babbling fool, +and twisted his neck, at the moment when he came to +wish me joy, and to tell me he had saved my life, and be +hanged to him! only they prevented me."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Were you sorry, then, to have your sentence +commuted?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; for those who sport with the knife, the headsman's +steel is the proper fate; for those who steal, the +'darbies' to their heels: each his proper punishment. +But to force you to live amongst galley-slaves, when you +have a right to be guillotined out of hand, is infamous; +and, besides, my life, when I first went to the Bagne, +was rather queer; one don't kill a man, and soon forget +it, you must know."</p> + +<p>"You feel some remorse, then, Chourineur?"</p> + +<p>"Remorse? No; for I have served my time," said the +savage; "but at first, a night did not pass but I saw—like +a nightmare—the sergeant and soldiers whom I had +slashed and slaughtered; that is, they were not alone," +added the brigand, in a voice of terror; "these were in +tens, and dozens, and hundreds, and thousands, each +waiting his turn, in a kind of slaughter-house, like the +horses whose throats I used to cut at Montfauçon, awaiting +each his turn. Then, then, I saw <i>red</i>, and began to +cut and slash away on these men as I used formerly to +do on the horses. The more, however, I chopped down +the soldiers, the faster the ranks filled up with others; +and as they died, they looked at one with an air so +gentle,—so gentle, that I cursed myself for killing 'em; +but I couldn't help it. That was not all. I never had +a brother; and yet it seemed as if every one of those +whom I killed was my brother, and I loved all of them. +At last, when I could bear it no longer, I used to wake +covered all over with sweat, as cold as melting snow."</p> + +<p>"That was a horrid dream, Chourineur!"</p> + +<p>"It was; yes. That dream, do you see, was enough +to drive one mad or foolish; so, twice, I tried to kill +myself, once by swallowing verdigris, and another time +by trying to choke myself with my chain; but, confound +it, I am as strong as a bull. The verdigris only made +me thirsty; and as for the twist of the chain round my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span> +neck, why, that only gave me a natural cravat of a blue +colour. Afterwards, the desire of life came back to me, +nay nightmare ceased to torment me, and I did as others +did."</p> + +<p>"At the Bagne, you were in a good school for learning +how to thieve?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, but it was not to my taste. The other 'prigs' +bullied me; but I soon silenced them with a few thumps +of my chain. It was in this way I first knew the Schoolmaster; +and I must pay him the compliment due to his +blows,—he paid me off as you did some little time ago."</p> + +<p>"He is, then, a criminal who has served his time?"</p> + +<p>"He was sentenced for life, but escaped."</p> + +<p>"Escaped, and not denounced?"</p> + +<p>"I'm not the man to denounce him. Besides, it would +seem as if I were afraid of him."</p> + +<p>"But how is it that the police do not detect him? +Have they not got his description?"</p> + +<p>"His description? Oh! yes, yes; but it is long since +he has scraped out from his phiz what nature had placed +there; now, none but the 'baker who puts the condemned +in his oven' (the devil) could recognise him" (the Schoolmaster).</p> + +<p>"What has he done to himself?"</p> + +<p>"He began by destroying his nose, which was an ell +long; he ate it off with vitriol."</p> + +<p>"You jest."</p> + +<p>"If he comes in this evening, you'll see. He had a +nose like a parrot, and now it is as flat as in a death's +head; to say nothing of his lips, which are as thick as +your fist, and his face, which is as wrinkled as the +waistcoat of a rag-picker."</p> + +<p>"And so he is not recognised?"</p> + +<p>"It is six months since he escaped from Rochefort, +and the 'traps' have met him a hundred times without +knowing him."</p> + +<p>"Why was he at the Bagne?"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span></p> + +<p>"For having been a forger, thief, and assassin. He is +called the Schoolmaster because he wrote a splendid +hand, and has had a good education."</p> + +<p>"And is he much feared?"</p> + +<p>"He will not be any longer, when you have given him +such a licking as you gave me. Oh, by Jove, I am +anxious to see it!"</p> + +<p>"What does he do for a living?"</p> + +<p>"He is associated with an old woman as bad as himself, +and as deep as the 'old one;' but she is never seen, +though he has told the ogress that some day or other he +would bring his 'mot' (woman) with him."</p> + +<p>"And this women helps him in his robberies?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and in his murders too. They say he brags of +having already, with her assistance, 'done for' two or +three persons; and, amongst others, three weeks ago, +a cattle-dealer on the road to Poissy, whom they also +robbed."</p> + +<p>"He will be taken sooner or later."</p> + +<p>"They must be very cunning, as well as powerful, to +do that, for he always has under his blouse a brace of +loaded pistols and a dagger. He says that Charlot (the +executioner) waits for him, and he can only lose his +head once, and so he will kill all he can kill to try and +escape. Oh! he makes no mystery of it; and as he is +twice as strong as you and I, they will have a tough job +who take him."</p> + +<p>"What did you do, Chourineur, when you left the +Bagne?"</p> + +<p>"I offered myself to the master-lighterman of the +Quai St. Paul, and I get my livelihood there."</p> + +<p>"But as you have never been a 'prig,' why do you +live in the Cité?"</p> + +<p>"Why, where else can I live? Who likes to be seen +with a discharged criminal? I should be tired of always +being alone, for I like company, and here I am with my +equals. I have a bit of a row sometimes, and they fear<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span> +me like fire in the Cité; but the police have nothing to +say to me, except now and then for a 'shindy,' for which +they give me, perhaps, twenty-four hours at the watch-house, +and there's an end of that."</p> + +<p>"What do you earn a day?"</p> + +<p>"Thirty-five sous for taking in the river foot-baths, +up to the stomach from twelve to fifteen hours a day, +summer and winter; but let me be just, and tell the +truth; so if, through having my toes in the water, I get +the <i>grenouille</i>,<a name="FNanchor_1_7" id="FNanchor_1_7"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_7" class="fnanchor">[7]</a> I am allowed to break my arms in +breaking up old vessels, and unloading timber on my +back. I begin as a beast of burden, and end like a fish's +tail. When I lose my strength entirely, I shall take a +rake and a wicker basket, like the old rag-picker whom +I see in the recollections of my childhood."</p> + +<div class="footnotes"> +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_1_7" id="Footnote_1_7"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_7"><span class="label">[7]</span></a> A disease of the skin to which all who work in the water are liable.</p></div> +</div> + +<p>"And yet you are not unhappy."</p> + +<p>"There are worse than I am; and without my dreams +of the sergeant and soldiers with their throats cut,—for +I have the dream still sometimes,—I could quietly wait +for the moment when I should drop down dead at the +corner of some dunghill, like that at which I was born; +but the dream—the dream—by heaven and earth! I +don't like even to think of that," said the Chourineur, +and he emptied his pipe at the corner of the table.</p> + +<p>The Goualeuse had hardly listened to the Chourineur; +she seemed wholly absorbed in a deep and melancholy +reverie. Rodolph himself was pensive. A tragic incident +occurred, which brought these three personages to a +recollection of the spot in which they were.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span></p> +<h3>CHAPTER V.</h3> + +<h5>THE ARREST.</h5> + + +<p>The man who had gone out for a moment, after having +requested the ogress to look after his jug and plate, +soon returned, accompanied by a tall, brawny man, to +whom he said, "It was a chance to meet in this way, old +fellow! Come in, and let us have a glass together."</p> + +<p>The Chourineur said, in a low voice, to Rodolph and the +Goualeuse, pointing to the newcomer, "We shall have a +row. He's a 'trap.' Look out for squalls."</p> + +<p>The two ruffians, one of whom, with the Greek skull-cap +pulled over his brows, had inquired several times for +the Schoolmaster and the Gros-Boiteux, exchanged rapid +glances of the eye, and, rising suddenly from the table, +went towards the door; but the two police officers, uttering +a peculiar note, seized them. A fierce struggle ensued. +The door of the tavern opened, and all of the +policemen dashed into the room, whilst, outside, were +seen the muskets of the <i>gens-d'armes</i>. Taking advantage +of the tumult, the charcoal-seller, of whom we have +spoken, advanced to the threshold of the <i>tapis-franc</i>, and, +meeting the eye of Rodolph, he put to his lips the forefinger +of his right hand. Rodolph, with a gesture as +rapid as it was imperious, desired him to go, and then +turned his attention to the scene before him. The man +with the Greek skull-cap shrieked with rage, and, half +extended on a table, struggled so desperately, that three +men could scarcely hold him. His companion, enfeebled, +dejected, with livid aspect and pale lips, his lower jaw<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span> +fallen, and shaking convulsively, made no resistance, but +held out his hands to be enclasped by the handcuffs. +The ogress, seated at her bar, and used to such scenes, +remained motionless, with her hands in the pockets of +her apron.</p> + +<p>"What have these fellows done, my dear M. Narcisse +Borel?" inquired she of one of the policemen +whom she knew.</p> + +<p>"Killed an old woman yesterday in the Rue St. Christophe, +and robbed her chamber. Before she died, the +poor old thing said that she had bitten one of her +murderers in the hand. We had our eyes on these two +scoundrels; and my comrade, having come to make sure +of his men, why, we have made free to take them."</p> + +<p>"How lucky they paid me beforehand for their pint!" +said the ogress. "Won't you take a dram o' nothin' +'short,' M. Narcisse? Just a 'go' of 'Ratifi' of the +Column.'"</p> + +<p>"Thanks, Mother Ponisse, but I must make sure of +my game; one fellow shows fight still."</p> + +<p>The assassin in the Greek cap was furious with rage, +and when they tried to get him into a hackney-coach +which was waiting in the street, he resisted so stoutly +that they were obliged to carry him. His accomplice, +seized with a nervous tremor, could hardly support himself, +and his blue lips trembled as though he were speaking. +They threw him, helpless and unresisting, into the +vehicle. Before he left the <i>tapis-franc</i>, the head officer +looked attentively at the other guests assembled, and +said to the Chourineur, in a tone almost kind:</p> + +<p>"What, you here, you bad lot? Why, it is a long +time since we heard anything of you. What, no more +rows? Are you growing steady?"</p> + +<p>"Steady as a stone figure. Why, you know that now +I never break a head, even if I am begged to do so!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I don't think that would cost you much trouble, +strong as you are."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yet here is my master," said the Chourineur, laying +his hand on Rodolph's shoulder.</p> + +<p>"Stay, I do not know him," said the <i>agent de police</i>, +looking steadfastly at Rodolph.</p> + +<p>"And I do not think we shall form an acquaintance +now," replied he.</p> + +<p>"I hope not, for your sake, my fine fellow," said the +agent; then, turning to the ogress, "Good night, Mother +Ponisse; your <i>tapis-franc</i> is a regular mouse-trap; this is +the third assassin I have taken here."</p> + +<p>"I hope it won't be the last, M. Narcisse; it is quite at +your service," said the ogress, making a very insinuating +nod with her head.</p> + +<p>After the departure of the police, the young vagabond +with the haggard visage, who was smoking and drinking +brandy, refilled his pipe, and said in a hoarse voice to +the Chourineur:</p> + +<p>"Didn't you 'twig' the 'cove' in the Greek cap? He's +Boulotte's man. When I saw the traps walk in, I says +to myself, says I, there's something up; and then, too, I +saw him keep his hand always under the table."</p> + +<p>"It's lucky for the Schoolmaster and Gros-Boiteux +that they were not here," said the ogress; "Greek cap +asked twice for him, and said they had business together; +but I never turn 'nose' (informer) on any customer. If +they take them, very well,—every one to his trade; but +I never sell my friends. Oh, talk of the old gentleman, +and you see his horns," added the hag, as at the moment +a man and woman entered the cabaret; "here they are,—the +Schoolmaster and his companion. Well, he was +right not to show her, for I never see such an ugly +creetur in my born days. She ought to be very much +obliged to him for having taken up with such a face."</p> + +<p>At the name of the Schoolmaster, a sort of shudder +seemed to circulate amongst the guests of the <i>tapis-franc</i>. +Rodolph, himself, in spite of his natural intrepidity, could +not wholly subdue a slight emotion at the sight of this<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span> +redoubtable ruffian, whom he contemplated for some +seconds with a mixed feeling of curiosity and horror. +The Chourineur had spoken truth when he said that the +Schoolmaster was frightfully mutilated. Nothing can +be imagined more horrible than the countenance of this +man. His face was furrowed in all directions with deep, +livid cicatrices; the corrosive action of the vitriol had +puffed out his lips; the cartilages of his nose were +divided, and two misshapen holes supplied the loss of +nostrils. His gray eyes were bright, small, circular, and +sparkled savagely; his forehead, as flat as a tiger's, was +half hidden beneath a fur cap, with long yellow hair, +looking like the crest of a monster.</p> + +<p>The Schoolmaster was not more than five feet four or +five; his head, which was disproportionately large, was +buried between two shoulders, broad, powerful, and +fleshy, displaying themselves even under the loose folds +of his coarse cotton blouse; he had long, muscular arms, +hands short, thick, and hairy to the very fingers' end, +with legs somewhat bowed, whose enormous calves betokened +his vast strength. This man presented, in fact, +the exaggeration of what there is of short, thickset, and +condensed, in the type of the Hercules Farnese. As to +the expression of ferocity which suffused this hideous +mask, and the restless, wild, and glaring look, more like +a wild beast than a human being, it is impossible to +describe them.</p> + +<p>The woman who accompanied the Schoolmaster was +old, and rather neatly dressed in a brown gown, with a +plaid shawl, of red and black check, and a white bonnet. +Rodolph saw her profile, and her green eye, hooked nose, +skinny lips, peaked chin, and countenance at once wicked +and cunning, reminded him involuntarily of La Chouette, +that horrible old wretch who had made poor Fleur-de-Marie +her victim. He was just on the point of saying +this to the girl, when he saw her suddenly turn pale with +fright, whilst looking at the hideous companion of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span> +Schoolmaster, and seizing the arm of Rodolph with a +trembling hand, the Goualeuse said, in a low voice:</p> + +<p>"Oh, the Chouette! the Chouette!—the one-eyed +woman!"</p> + +<p>At this moment the Schoolmaster, after having exchanged +a few words in an undertone with Barbillon, +came slowly towards the table where Rodolph, the Goualeuse, +and the Chourineur were sitting, and addressing +himself to Fleur-de-Marie, in a hoarse voice, said:</p> + +<p>"Ah, my pretty, fair miss, you must quit these two +'muffs,' and come with me."</p> + +<p>The Goualeuse made no reply, but clung to Rodolph, +her teeth chattering with fright.</p> + +<p>"And I shall not be jealous of my man, my little +<i>fourline</i>" (a pet word for assassin), added the Chouette, +laughing loudly. She had not yet recognised in Goualeuse +"Pegriotte," her old victim.</p> + +<p>"Well, my little white face, dost hear me?" said the +monster, advancing. "If thou dost not come, I'll poke +your eye out, and make you a match for the Chouette. +And thou with the moustache," he said to Rodolph, "if +thou dost not stand from between me and the wench, +I'll crack thy crown."</p> + +<p>"Defend me! oh, defend me!" cried Fleur-de-Marie +to Rodolph, clasping her hands. Then, reflecting that +she was about to expose him to great danger, she added, +in a low voice, "No, no, do not move, Mister Rodolph; +if he comes nearer, I will cry out for help, and for fear +of the disturbance, which may call in the police, the +ogress will take my part."</p> + +<p>"Don't be alarmed, my child," said Rodolph, looking +calmly at the Schoolmaster; "you are beside me,—don't +stir; and as this ill-looking scoundrel makes you +as well as myself feel uncomfortable, I will kick him +out."</p> + +<p>"Thou?" said the Schoolmaster.</p> + +<p>"I!" said Rodolph. And, in spite of the efforts of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span> +the Goualeuse, he rose from the table. Despite his +hardihood, the Schoolmaster retreated a step, so threatening +were the looks, so commanding the deportment, of +Rodolph. There are peculiar glances of the eye which +are irresistible, and certain celebrated duellists are said to +owe their bloody triumphs to this fascinating glance, +which unmans, paralyses, and destroys their adversaries. +The Schoolmaster trembled, retreated a step, and, for +once, distrustful of his giant strength, felt under his +blouse for his long cut-and-thrust knife. A murder +would have stained the <i>tapis-franc</i>, no doubt, if the +Chouette, taking the Schoolmaster by the arm, had not +screamed out:</p> + +<p>"A minute, a minute, <i>fourline</i>,—let me say a word! +You shall walk into these two 'muffs' all the same, +presently."</p> + +<p>The Schoolmaster looked at her with astonishment. +For some minutes she had been looking at Fleur-de-Marie +with fixed and increasing attention, as if trying to +refresh her memory. At length no doubt remained, and +she recognised the Goualeuse.</p> + +<p>"Is it possible?" she cried, clasping her hands in +astonishment. "It is Pegriotte, who stole my barley-sugar. +But where do you come from? Is it the devil +who sends you back?" and she shook her clenched hand +at the young girl. "You won't come into my clutch +again, eh? But be easy; if I do not pull out your teeth, +I will have out of your eyes every tear in your body. +Come, no airs and graces. You don't know what I +mean. Why, I have found out the people who had the +care of you before you were handed over to me. The +Schoolmaster saw at the <i>Pré</i> (the galleys) the man who +brought you to my 'crib' when you were a brat, and he +has proofs that the people who had you first were 'gentry +coves'" (rich people).</p> + +<p>"My parents! Do you know them?" cried Fleur-de-Marie.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Never mind whether I know them or not, you shall +know nothing about it. The secret is mine and my +<i>fourline</i>'s, and I will tear out his tongue rather than +he shall blab it. What! it makes you snivel, does it, +Pegriotte?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, no," said Goualeuse, with a bitterness of accent; +"<i>now</i> I do not care ever to know my parents."</p> + +<p>Whilst La Chouette was speaking, the Schoolmaster +had resumed his assurance, for, looking at Rodolph, he +could not believe that a young man of slight and graceful +make could for a moment cope with him, and, confident +in his brutal force, he approached the defender of +Goualeuse, and said to the Chouette, in an imperious +voice:</p> + +<p>"Hold your jaw! I'll tackle with this swell, and +then the fair lady may think me more to her fancy than +he is."</p> + +<p>With one bound Rodolph leaped on the table.</p> + +<p>"Take care of my plates!" shouted the ogress.</p> + +<p>The Schoolmaster stood on his guard, his two hands +in front, his chest advanced, firmly planted on his legs, +and arched, as it were, on his brawny legs, which were +like balusters of stone. At the moment when Rodolph +was springing at him, the door of the <i>tapis-franc</i> opened +with violence, and the charcoal-man, of whom we have +before spoken, and who was upwards of six feet high, +dashed into the apartment, pushed the Schoolmaster on +one side rudely, and coming up to Rodolph, said, in +German, in his ear:</p> + +<p>"Monseigneur, the countess and her brother—they +are at the end of the street."</p> + +<p>At these words Rodolph made an impatient and +angry gesture, threw a louis d'or on the bar of the +ogress, and made for the door in haste. The Schoolmaster +attempted to arrest Rodolph's progress, but he, +turning to him, gave him two or three rapid blows with +his fists over the nose and eyes, and with such potent<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span> +effect, that the beast staggered with very giddiness, and +fell heavily against a table, which alone prevented his +prostration on the floor.</p> + +<p>"<i>Vive la Charte!</i> those are <i>my</i> blows,—I know +them," cried the Chourineur; "two or three more lessons +like that, and I shall know all about it."</p> + +<p>Restored to himself after a few moments, the Schoolmaster +darted off in pursuit of Rodolph, but he had +disappeared with the charcoal-man in the dark labyrinth +of the streets of the Cité, and the brigand found it useless +to follow.</p> + +<p>At the moment when the Schoolmaster had returned, +foaming with rage, two persons, approaching from the +opposite side to that by which Rodolph had disappeared, +entered into the <i>tapis-franc</i>, hastily, and out of breath, +as if they had been running far and fast. Their first +impulse was to look around the room.</p> + +<p>"How unfortunate!" said one of them; "he has gone,—another +opportunity lost."</p> + +<p>The two newcomers spoke in English. The Goualeuse, +horror-struck at meeting with the Chouette, and +dreading the threats of the Schoolmaster, took advantage +of the tumult and confusion caused by the arrival of the +two fresh guests in the <i>tapis-franc</i>, and, quietly gliding +out by the half-opened door, left the cabaret.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span></p> +<h3>CHAPTER VI.</h3> + +<h5>THOMAS SEYTON AND THE COUNTESS SARAH.</h5> + + +<p>The two persons who had just entered the <i>tapis-franc</i> +were quite of another class from those who ordinarily +frequented it. One, tall and erect, had hair almost +white, black eyebrows and whiskers, a long and tanned +face, with a stiff, formal air. His long frock coat was +buttoned up to the throat, <i>à la militaire</i>. We shall call +this individual Thomas Seyton. His companion was +young, pale, and handsome, and appeared about thirty-one +or two years of age. His hair, eyebrows, and eyes +were of a deep black, which showed off the more fully +the pure whiteness of his face. By his step, the smallness +of his stature, and the delicacy of his features, it +was easy to detect a woman in male habiliments. This +female was the Countess Sarah Macgregor. We will +hereafter inform our readers of the motives and events +which had brought the countess and her brother into +this cabaret of the Cité.</p> + +<p>"Call for something to drink, Thomas, and ask the +people here about <i>him</i>; perhaps they may give us some +information," said Sarah, still speaking English.</p> + +<p>The man with white hair and black eyebrows sat +down at a table, whilst Sarah was wiping her forehead, +and said to the ogress, in excellent French, "Madame, +let us have something to drink, if you please."</p> + +<p>The entrance of these two persons into the <i>tapis-franc</i> +had excited universal attention. Their dress, their +manners, all announced that they never frequented low<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span> +drinking-shops, whilst, by their restless looks and disturbed +countenances, it might be judged that some very +powerful motives had led them hither. The Chourineur, +the Schoolmaster, and the Chouette viewed them with +increasing curiosity.</p> + +<p>Startled by the appearance of such strange customers, +the ogress shared in the general surprise. Thomas Seyton, +a second time, and with an impatient tone, said, +"We have called for something to drink, ma'am; pray +let us have it."</p> + +<p>Mother Ponisse, flattered by their courtesy of manner, +left her bar, and, coming towards her new guests, leaned +her arms on their table, and said, "Will you have a pint +of wine in measure or a bottle?"</p> + +<p>"A bottle of wine, glasses, and some water."</p> + +<p>The ogress brought the supplies demanded, and Thomas +Seyton threw her a five-franc piece, and refused the +change which she offered to him.</p> + +<p>"Keep it, my good woman, for yourself, and perhaps +you will take a glass with us."</p> + +<p>"You're uncommon purlite, sir," looking at the +countess's brother with as much surprise as gratitude.</p> + +<p>"But tell me, now," said he; "we had appointed to +meet a friend in a cabaret in this street, and have, perhaps, +mistaken the house in coming here."</p> + +<p>"This is the 'White Rabbit,' at your service, sir."</p> + +<p>"That's right enough, then," said Thomas, making a +sign to Sarah; "yes, it was at the 'White Rabbit' that +he was to give us the meeting."</p> + +<p>"There are not two 'White Rabbits' in this street," +said the ogress, with a toss of her head. "But what +sort of a person was your friend?"</p> + +<p>"Tall, slim, and with hair and moustaches of light +chestnut," said Seyton.</p> + +<p>"Exactly, exactly; that's the man who has just gone +out. A charcoal-man, very tall and stout, came in and +said a few words to him, and they left together."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span></p> + +<p>"The very man we want to meet," said Tom.</p> + +<p>"Were they alone here?" inquired Sarah.</p> + +<p>"Why, the charcoal-man only came in for one moment; +but your comrade supped here with the Chourineur +and Goualeuse;" and with a nod of her head, the +ogress pointed out the individual of the party who was +left still in the cabaret.</p> + +<p>Thomas and Sarah turned towards the Chourineur. +After contemplating him for a few minutes, Sarah said, +in English, to her companion, "Do you know this +man?"</p> + +<p>"No; Karl lost all trace of Rodolph at the entrance +of these obscure streets. Seeing Murphy disguised as a +charcoal-seller, keeping watch about this cabaret, and +constantly peeping through the windows, he was afraid +that something wrong was going on, and so came to +warn us. Murphy, no doubt, recognised him."</p> + +<p>During this conversation, held in a very low tone, and +in a foreign tongue, the Schoolmaster said to the +Chouette, looking at Tom and Sarah, "The swell has +shelled out a 'bull' to the ogress. It is just twelve, rains +and blows like the devil. When they leave the 'crib,' we +will be on their 'lay,' and draw the 'flat' of his 'blunt.' +As his 'mot' is with him, he'll hold his jaw."</p> + +<p>If Tom and Sarah had heard this foul language, they +would not have understood it, and would not have +detected the plot against them.</p> + +<p>"Be quiet, <i>fourline</i>," answered the Chouette; "if the +'cull' sings out for the 'traps,' I have my vitriol in my +pocket, and will break the phial in his 'patter-box.' Nothing +like a drink to keep children from crying," she added. +"Tell me, darling, sha'n't we lay hands on Pegriotte the +first time we meet with her? And only let me once get +her to our place, and I'll rub her chops with my vitriol, +and then my lady will no longer be proud of her fine skin."</p> + +<p>"Well said, Chouette; I shall make you my wife +some day or other," said the Schoolmaster; "you have<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span> +no equal for skill and courage. On that night with the +cattle-dealer, I had an opportunity of judging of you; +and I said, 'Here's the wife for me; she works better +than a man.'"</p> + +<p>"And you said right, <i>fourline</i>; if the Skeleton had +had a woman like me at his elbow, he would not have +been nabbed with his gully in the dead man's weasand."</p> + +<p>"He's done up, and now he will not leave the 'stone +jug,' except to kiss the headsman's daughter, and be a +head shorter."</p> + +<p>"What strange language these people talk!" said +Sarah, who had involuntarily heard the last few words +of the conversation between the Schoolmaster and the +Chouette. Then she added, pointing to the Chourineur, +"If we ask this man some questions about Rodolph, +perhaps he may be able to answer them."</p> + +<p>"We can but try," replied Thomas, who said to the +Chourineur, "Comrade, we expected to find in this cabaret +a friend of ours; he supped with you, I find. Perhaps, +as you know him, you will tell us which way he +has gone?"</p> + +<p>"I know him because he gave me a precious good +hiding two hours ago, to prevent me from beating +Goualeuse."</p> + +<p>"And have you never seen him before?"</p> + +<p>"Never; we met by chance in the alley which leads +to Bras Rouge's house."</p> + +<p>"Hostess, another bottle of the best," said Thomas +Seyton.</p> + +<p>Sarah and he had hardly moistened their lips, and +their glasses were still full; but Mother Ponisse, doubtless +anxious to pay proper respect to her own cellar, had +frequently filled and emptied hers.</p> + +<p>"And put it on the table where that gentleman sits, +if he will permit," added Thomas, who, with Sarah, +seated themselves beside the Chourineur, who was as +much astonished as flattered by such politeness.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span></p> + +<p>The Schoolmaster and the Chouette were talking over +their own dark plans in low tones and "flash" language. +The bottle being brought, and Sarah and her brother +seated with the Chourineur and the ogress, who had +considered a second invitation as superfluous, the conversation +was resumed.</p> + +<p>"You told us, my good fellow, that you met our comrade +Rodolph in the house where Bras Rouge lives?" +inquired Thomas Seyton, as he hob and nobbed with the +Chourineur.</p> + +<p>"Yes, my good fellow," replied he, as he emptied his +glass at a gulp.</p> + +<p>"What a singular name is Bras Rouge! What is this +Bras Rouge?"</p> + +<p>"<i>Il pastique la maltouze</i>" (smuggles), said the Chourineur, +in a careless tone, and then added, "This is +jolly good wine, Mother Ponisse!"</p> + +<p>"If you think so, do not spare it, my fine fellow," +said Seyton, and he filled the Chourineur's glass as he +spoke.</p> + +<p>"Your health, mate," said he, "and the health of +your little friend, who—but mum. 'If my aunt was +a man, she'd be my uncle,' as the proverb says. Ah! +you sly rogue, I'm up to you!"</p> + +<p>Sarah coloured slightly as her brother continued, "I +did not quite understand what you meant about Bras +Rouge. Rodolph came from his house, no doubt?"</p> + +<p>"I told you that Bras Rouge <i>pastique la maltouze</i>."</p> + +<p>Thomas regarded the Chourineur with an air of +surprise.</p> + +<p>"What do you mean by <i>pastique la mal</i>——What do +you call it?"</p> + +<p>"<i>Pastiquer la maltouze.</i> He smuggles, I suppose +you would call it; but it seems you can't 'patter +flash?'"</p> + +<p>"My fine fellow, I don't understand one word you +say."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I see you can't talk slang like M. Rodolph."</p> + +<p>"Slang?" said Thomas Seyton, looking at Sarah with +an astonished air.</p> + +<p>"Ah! you are yokels; but comrade Rodolph is an +out-and-out pal, he is. Though only a fan-painter, yet +he is as 'downy' in 'flash' as I am myself. Well, since +you can't speak this very fine language, I tell you, in +plain French, that Bras Rouge is a smuggler, and, besides +that, has a small tavern in the Champs Elysées. +I say, without breaking faith, that he is a smuggler, for +he makes no secret of it, but owns it under the very nose +of the custom-house officers. Find him out, though, if +you can; Bras Rouge is a deep one."</p> + +<p>"What could Rodolph want at the house of this +man?" asked Sarah.</p> + +<p>"Really, sir, or madam, which you please, I know +nothing about anything, as true as I drink this glass of +wine. I was chaffing to-night with the Goualeuse, who +thought I was going to beat her, and she ran up Bras +Rouge's alley, and I after her; it was as dark as the +devil. Instead of hitting Goualeuse, however, I stumbled +on Master Rodolph, who soon gave me better than +I sent. Such thumps! and especially those infernal +thwacks with his fist at last. My eyes! how hot and +heavy they did fall! But he's promised to teach me, +and to—"</p> + +<p>"And Bras Rouge, what sort of a person is he?" +asked Tom. "What goods does he sell?"</p> + +<p>"Bras Rouge? Oh, by the Holy! he sells everything +he is forbidden to sell, and does everything which it is +forbidden to do. That's his line, ain't it, Mother +Ponisse?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! he's a boy with more than one string to his +bow," answered the ogress. "He is, besides, principal +occupier of a certain house in the Rue du Temple,—a +rum sort of a house, to be sure; but mum," added she, +fearing to have revealed too much.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span></p> + +<p>"And what is the address of Bras Rouge in that +street?" asked Seyton of the Chourineur.</p> + +<p>"No. 13, sir."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps we may learn something there," said Seyton, +in a low voice, to his sister. "I will send Karl +thither to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"As you know M. Rodolph," said the Chourineur, +"you may boast the acquaintance of a stout friend and +a good fellow. If it had not been for the charcoal-man, +he would have 'doubled up' the Schoolmaster, who is +there in the corner with the Chouette. By the Lord! I +can hardly contain myself, when I see that old hag, and +know how she behaved to the Goualeuse,—but patience, +'a blow delayed is not a blow lost,' as the saying is."</p> + +<p>The Hotel de Ville clock struck midnight; the lamp +of the tavern only shed a dim and flickering light. Except +the Chourineur and his two companions, the Schoolmaster, +and the Screech-owl, all the guests of the +<i>tapis-franc</i> had retired one after the other.</p> + +<p>The Schoolmaster said, in an undertone, to the Chouette, +"If we go and hide in the alley opposite, we shall +see the swells come out, and know which road they take. +If they turn to the left, we can double upon them at the +turning of the Rue Saint Eloi; if to the right, we will +wait for them by the ruins close to the tripe-market. +There's a large hole close by, and I have a capital idea."</p> + +<p>The Schoolmaster and the Chouette then went towards +the door.</p> + +<p>"You won't, then, take a 'drain' of nothin' to-night?" +said the ogress.</p> + +<p>"No, Mother Ponisse, we only came in to take shelter +from the rain," said the Schoolmaster, as he and the +Chouette went out.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span></p> +<h3>CHAPTER VII.</h3> + +<h5>"YOUR MONEY OR YOUR LIFE."</h5> + + +<p>The noise which was made by the shutting of the +door aroused Tom and Sarah from their reverie, and +they rose, and, having thanked the Chourineur for the +information he had given them, the fellow went out, +the wind blowing very strongly, and the rain falling in +torrents. The Schoolmaster and the Chouette, hidden +in an alley opposite the <i>tapis-franc</i>, saw the Chourineur +go down the street, in the direction of the street in +which the house in ruins was situated. His steps, +which were somewhat irregular, in consequence of the +frequent libations of the evening, were soon unheard +amidst the whistling of the storm and the sheets of rain +which dashed against the walls. Sarah and Tom left +the tavern in spite of the tempest, and took a contrary +direction to the Chourineur.</p> + +<p>"They're done for," said the Schoolmaster, in a low +key, to the Chouette; "out with your vitriol, and mind +your eye."</p> + +<p>"Let us take off our shoes, and then they won't hear +us as we follow," suggested the Chouette.</p> + +<p>"You are right,—always right; let us tread like cats, +my old darling."</p> + +<p>The two monsters took off their shoes, and moved +stealthily along, keeping in the shadows of the houses. +By means of this stratagem they followed so closely, +that, although within a few steps of Sarah and Tom, they +did not hear them.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Fortunately our hackney-coach is at the end of the +street; the rain falls in torrents. Are you not cold, +Sarah?"</p> + +<p>"Perhaps we shall glean something from this smuggler,—this +Bras Rouge," said Sarah, in a thoughtful +tone, and not replying to her brother's inquiry.</p> + +<p>He suddenly stopped, and said, "I have taken a +wrong turning; I ought to have gone to the right when +I left the tavern; we must pass by a house in ruins to +reach the <i>fiacre</i>. We must turn back."</p> + +<p>The Schoolmaster and the Chouette, who followed on +the heels of their intended victims, retreated into the +dark porch of a house close at hand, so that they might +not be perceived by Tom and Sarah, who, in passing, +almost touched them with their elbows.</p> + +<p>"I am glad they have gone that way," said the +Schoolmaster, "for if the 'cove' resists, I have my own +idea."</p> + +<p>Sarah and her brother, having again passed by the +<i>tapis-franc</i>, arrived close to the dilapidated house, which +was partly in ruins, and its opened cellars formed a kind +of gulf, along which the street ran in that direction. In +an instant, the Schoolmaster, with a leap resembling in +strength and agility the spring of a tiger, seized Seyton +with one hand by the throat, and exclaimed, "Your +money, or I will fling you into this hole!"</p> + +<p>Then the brigand, pushing Seyton backwards, shoved +him off his balance, and with one hand held him suspended +over the mouth of the deep excavation; whilst, +with his other hand, he grasped the arm of Sarah, as if +in a vice. Before Tom could make the slightest struggle, +the Chouette had emptied his pockets with singular dexterity. +Sarah did not utter a cry, nor try to resist; she +only said, in a calm tone, "Give up your purse, brother;" +and then accosting the robber, "We will make no noise; +do not do us any injury."</p> + +<p>The Chouette, having carefully searched the pockets<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span> +of the two victims of this ambush, said to Sarah, "Let's +see your hands, if you've got any rings. No," said the +old brute, grumblingly, "no, not one ring. What a +shame!"</p> + +<p>Tom Seyton did not lose his presence of mind during +this scene, rapidly and unexpectedly as it had +occurred.</p> + +<p>"Will you strike a bargain? My pocketbook contains +papers quite useless to you; return it to me, and +to-morrow I will give you twenty-five louis d'ors," said +Tom to the Schoolmaster, whose hand relaxed something +of its fierce gripe.</p> + +<p>"Oh! ah! to lay a trap to catch us," replied the thief. +"Be off, without looking behind you, and be thankful +that you have escaped so well."</p> + +<p>"One moment," said the Chouette; "if he behaves +well, he shall have his pocketbook. There is a way." +Then, addressing Thomas Seyton, "You know the plain +of St. Denis?"</p> + +<p>"I do."</p> + +<p>"Do you know where St. Ouen is?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Opposite St. Ouen, at the end of the road of La +Revolte, the plain is wide and open. Across the fields, +one may see a long way. Come there to-morrow, quite +alone, with your money in your hand; you will find me +and the pocketbook ready. Hand me the cash, and I +will hand you the pocketbook."</p> + +<p>"But he'll trap you, Chouette."</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, he won't; I'm up to him or any of his +dodges. We can see a long way off. I have only one +eye, but that is a piercer; and if the 'cove' comes with +a companion, he won't find anybody; I shall have +'mizzled.'"</p> + +<p>A sudden idea seemed to strike Sarah, and she said +to the brigand, "Will you like to gain some money?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Did you see, in the cabaret we have just left—for +I know you again—the man whom the charcoal-man +came to seek?"</p> + +<p>"A dandy with moustaches? Yes, I would have +stuck it into the fellow, but he did not give me time. +He stunned me with two blows of his fists, and upset +me on the table,—for the first time that any man ever +did so. Curses on him! but I will be revenged."</p> + +<p>"He is the man I mean," said Sarah.</p> + +<p>"He?" cried the Schoolmaster, "a thousand francs, +and I'll kill him."</p> + +<p>"Wretch! I do not seek his life," replied Sarah to +the Schoolmaster.</p> + +<p>"What, then, would you have?"</p> + +<p>"Come to-morrow to the plain of St. Denis; you will +there find my companion," she replied; "you will see +that he is alone, and he will tell you what to do. I will +not give you one thousand, but two thousand, francs, if +you succeed."</p> + +<p>"<i>Fourline</i>," said the Chouette, in a low tone, to the +Schoolmaster, "there's 'blunt' to be had; these are a +'swell' lot, who want to be revenged on an enemy, and +that enemy is the beggar that you wished to 'floor.' +Let's go and meet him. I would go, if I were you. +Fire and smoke! Old boy, it will pay for looking +after."</p> + +<p>"Well, my wife shall be there," said the Schoolmaster; +"you will tell her what you want, and I shall +see—"</p> + +<p>"Be it so; to-morrow at one."</p> + +<p>"At one o'clock."</p> + +<p>"In the plain of St. Denis?"</p> + +<p>"In the plain of St. Denis."</p> + +<p>"Between St. Ouen and the road of La Revolte, at +the end of the road?"</p> + +<p>"Agreed."</p> + +<p>"I will bring your pocketbook."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span></p> + +<p>"And you shall have the five hundred francs I +promised you, and we will agree in the other matter, if +you are reasonable."</p> + +<p>"Now, you go to the right, and we to the left hand. +Do not follow us, or else—"</p> + +<p>The Schoolmaster and the Chouette hurried off, +whilst Tom and the countess went in the other direction, +towards Notre Dame.</p> + +<p>A concealed witness had been present at this transaction; +it was the Chourineur, who had entered the +cellars of the house to get shelter from the rain. The +proposal which Sarah made to the brigand respecting +Rodolph deeply interested the Chourineur, who, alarmed +for the perils which appeared about to beset his new +friend, regretted that he could not warn him of them. +Perhaps his detestation of the Schoolmaster and the +Chouette might have something to do with this feeling.</p> + +<p>The Chourineur resolved to inform Rodolph of the danger +which threatened him; but how? He had forgotten +the address of the self-styled fan-painter. Perhaps +Rodolph would never again come to the <i>tapis-franc</i>, +and then how could he warn him? Whilst he was +conning all this over in his mind, the Chourineur had +mechanically followed Tom and Sarah, and saw them +get into a coach which awaited them near Notre +Dame.</p> + +<p>The <i>fiacre</i> started. The Chourineur got up behind, +and at one o'clock it stopped on the Boulevard de l'Observatoire, +and Thomas and Sarah went down a narrow +entrance, which was close at hand. The night was +pitch dark, and the Chourineur, that he might know +the next day the place where he then was, drew from +his pocket his clasp-knife, and cut a deep notch in one +of the trees at the corner of the entrance, and then +returned to his resting-place, which was at a considerable +distance.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span></p> + +<p>For the first time for a very long while, the Chourineur +enjoyed in his den a comfortable sleep, which was +not once interrupted by the horrible vision of the "Sergeant's +slaughter-house," as, in his coarse language, he +styled it.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span></p> +<h3>CHAPTER VIII.</h3> + +<h5>THE WALK.</h5> + + +<p>On the day after the evening on which the various +events we have described had passed, a bright autumnal +sun shone from a pure sky; the darkness of the night +had wholly disappeared. Although always shaded by +the height of the houses, the disreputable neighbourhood +into which the reader has followed us seemed less horrible +when viewed in the light of open day.</p> + +<p>Whether Rodolph no longer feared meeting with the +two persons whom he had evaded the over-night, or did +not care whether he faced them or not, about eleven +o'clock in the morning he entered the Rue aux Fêves, +and directed his steps towards the tavern of the ogress.</p> + +<p>Rodolph was still in a workman's dress; but there +was a decided neatness in his costume. His new blouse, +open on his chest, showed a red woollen shirt, closed by +several silver buttons; whilst the collar of another shirt, +of white cotton, fell over a black silk cravat, loosely +tied around his neck. From under his sky blue velvet +cap, with a bright leather peak, several locks of chestnut +hair were seen; and his boots, cleaned very brightly, and +replacing the heavy iron shoes of the previous evening, +showed off to advantage a well-formed foot, which +seemed all the smaller from appearing out of a loose +pantaloon of olive velveteen. The costume was well calculated +to display the elegant shape and carriage of Rodolph, +which combined so much grace, suppleness, and +power. The ogress was airing herself at her door when +Rodolph presented himself.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Your servant, young man; you have come, no doubt, +for your change of the twenty francs," she said, with +some show of respect, not venturing to forget that the +conqueror of the Chourineur had handed her a louis d'or +the previous evening. "There is seventeen francs ten +sous coming to you; but that's not all. There was +somebody here asking after you last night,—a tall gent, +well dressed, and with him a young woman in men's +clothes. They drank my best wine along with the +Chourineur."</p> + +<p>"Oh, with the Chourineur, did they? And what +could they have to say to him?"</p> + +<p>"When I say they drank, I make a mistake; they only +just sipped a drain or so, and—"</p> + +<p>"But what did they say to the Chourineur?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, they talked of all manner of things,—of Bras +Rouge, and the rain, and fine weather."</p> + +<p>"Do they know Bras Rouge?"</p> + +<p>"Not by no means; the Chourineur told 'em all about +him, and as how as you—"</p> + +<p>"Well, well, that is not what I want to know."</p> + +<p>"You want your change."</p> + +<p>"Yes, and I want to take Goualeuse to pass the day +in the country."</p> + +<p>"Oh, that's impossible!"</p> + +<p>"Why?"</p> + +<p>"Why? Because she may never come back again. +Her things belong to me, not including as she owes me +a matter of ninety francs as a balance for her board and +lodging, for the six weeks as she has lodged with me; +and if I didn't know her to be as honest a gal as is, I +should never let her go out of sight."</p> + +<p>"Goualeuse owes you ninety francs?"</p> + +<p>"Ninety francs ten sous; but what's that to you, my +lad? Are you a-going to come 'my lord,' and pay it for +her?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Rodolph, throwing five louis on the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span> +ogress's bar, "and what's your price for the clothes she +wears?"</p> + +<p>The old hag, amazed, looked at the louis one after the +other, with an air of much doubt and mistrust.</p> + +<p>"What! do you think I have given you bad money? +Send and get change for one of them; but make haste +about it. I say, again, how much for the garments the +poor girl is wearing?"</p> + +<p>The ogress, divided between her desire to make a +good harvest, her surprise to see a workman with so +much money, the fear of being cheated, and the hopes of +still greater gain, was silent for an instant, and then +replied, "Oh, them things is well worth a hundred +francs."</p> + +<p>"What! those rags? Come, now, you shall keep the +change from yesterday, and I'll give you another louis, +and no more. If I give you all I have, I shall cheat the +poor, who ought to get some alms out of me."</p> + +<p>"Well, then, my fine fellow, I'll keep my things, and +Goualeuse sha'n't go out. I have a right to sell my +things for what I choose."</p> + +<p>"May Lucifer one day fry you as you deserve! Here's +your money; go and look for Goualeuse."</p> + +<p>The ogress pocketed the gold, thinking that the workman +had committed a robbery, or received a legacy, and +then said, with a nasty leer, "Well, indeed! Why not go +up-stairs, and find Goualeuse yourself; she'll be very +glad to see you, for, on my life, she was much smitten +with you yesterday?"</p> + +<p>"Do you go and fetch her, and tell her I will take her +into the country; that's all you need say; not a word +about my having paid you her debt."</p> + +<p>"Why not?"</p> + +<p>"What's that to you?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, nothing; it's no matter to me; I would rather +that she still believed herself in my clutch—"</p> + +<p>"Will you hold your tongue, and do as I bid you?"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, what a cross creetur you are! I pity anybody +who is under you. Well, I'm going, I'm going;" and +the ogress went up-stairs.</p> + +<p>After a few minutes she came down again.</p> + +<p>"Goualeuse would not believe me, and really turned +quite crimson when she knew you were here; and when +I told her that I would give her leave to pass the day in +the country, I thought she would have gone crazy,—for +the first time in her life she was inclined to throw her +arms about my neck."</p> + +<p>"That was her delight at leaving you."</p> + +<p>Fleur-de-Marie entered at this moment, dressed as she +was the over-night, with her gown of brown stuff, her +little orange shawl tied behind her, and her handkerchief +of red checks over her head, leaving only two thick +bands of light hair visible. She blushed when she saw +Rodolph, and looked down with a confused air.</p> + +<p>"Would you like to pass the day in the country with +me, my lass?" asked Rodolph.</p> + +<p>"Very much, indeed, M. Rodolph," said Goualeuse, +"since madame gives me leave."</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, you may go, my little duck, because you're +such a good gal. Come and kiss me afore you go."</p> + +<p>And the old beldam offered her bloated lips to Fleur-de-Marie. +The poor girl, overcoming her disgust, bent +her forehead to the ogress, but Rodolph, giving a sudden +push with his elbow, shoved the hag back on her seat, +took Fleur-de-Marie's arm, and left the <i>tapis-franc</i>, +amidst the loud maledictions of Mother Ponisse.</p> + +<p>"Mind, M. Rodolph," said Goualeuse; "the ogress +will, perhaps, throw something at you,—she is very +spiteful."</p> + +<p>"Oh, don't heed her, my girl. But what's the matter +with you? You seem embarrassed, sad. Are you sorry +for having come out with me?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, dear, no; but—but—you give me your arm!"</p> + +<p>"Well, and what of that?"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You are a workman, and some one may tell your +master that they met you with me, and harm may come +of it; masters do not like their workmen to be unsteady." +And Goualeuse gently removed her arm from +that of Rodolph, adding, "Go on by yourself; I will follow +you to the barrier; when we are once in the fields I +can walk with you."</p> + +<p>"Do not be uneasy," said Rodolph, touched by the +poor girl's consideration, and taking her arm again; +"my master does not live in this quarter, and we shall +find a coach on the Quai aux Fleurs."</p> + +<p>"As you please, M. Rodolph; I only said so that you +might not get into trouble."</p> + +<p>"I am sure of that, and thank you very much. But +tell me, is it all the same to you what part of the country +we go into?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, quite so, M. Rodolph, so that it be the country. +It is so fine and it is so nice to breathe the open air! +Do you know that I have not been farther than the +flower-market for these six weeks? And now, if the +ogress allows me to leave the Cité, she must have great +confidence in me."</p> + +<p>"And when you came here, was it to buy flowers?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, I had no money; I only came to look at +them, and breathe their beautiful smell. During the +half-hour which the ogress allowed me to pass on the +quay on market-days, I was so happy that I forgot everything +else."</p> + +<p>"And on returning to the ogress, and those filthy +streets?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, why, then I returned more sad than when I set +out; but I wiped my eyes, that I might not be beaten for +crying. Yet, at the market, what made me envious—oh, +so envious!—was to see neat, clean little workwomen, +who were going away so gaily with a beautiful +pot of flowers in their hands."</p> + +<p>"I am sure that if you had had but a few flowers<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span> +in your own window, they would have kept you company."</p> + +<p>"What you say is quite true, M. Rodolph. Only +imagine, one day, on her birthday, the ogress, knowing +my taste, gave me a little rose-tree. If you only knew +how happy it made me,—I was never tired of looking at +it,—my own rose-tree! I counted its leaves, its flowers; +but the air of the Cité is bad, and it began to wither in +two days. Then—but you'll laugh at me, M. Rodolph."</p> + +<p>"No, no; go on."</p> + +<p>"Well, then, I asked the ogress to let me go out, and +take my rose-tree for a walk, as I would have taken a +child out. Well, then, I carried it to the quay, thinking +that to be with other flowers in the fresh and balmy air +would do it good. I bathed its poor fading leaves in the +clear waters of the fountain, and then to dry it I placed +it for a full quarter of an hour in the sun. Dear little +rose-tree! it never saw the sun in the Cité any more +than I did, for in our street it never descends lower than +the roof. At last I went back again, and I assure you, +M. Rodolph, that, thanks to these walks, my rose-tree +lived at least ten days longer than it would have done, +had I not taken such pains with it."</p> + +<p>"No doubt of it. But when it died, what a loss it +must have been to you!"</p> + +<p>"I cried heartily, for it grieved me very, very much; +and you see, M. Rodolph,—for you know one loves +flowers, although one hasn't any of one's own,—you +see, I felt grateful to it, that dear rose-tree, for blooming +so kindly for me, although I was so—"</p> + +<p>Goualeuse bent her head, and blushed deeply.</p> + +<p>"Unhappy child! With this feeling of your own +position, you must often—"</p> + +<p>"Have desired to end it, you mean, sir?" said +Goualeuse, interrupting her companion. "Yes, yes, +more than once. A month ago I looked over the +parapet at the Seine; but then, when I looked at the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span> +flowers, and the sun, then I said, 'The river will be always +there; I am but sixteen and a half,—who knows?'"</p> + +<p>"When you said 'who knows,' you had hope?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"And what did you hope?"</p> + +<p>"To find some charitable soul who would get me +work, so that I might be enabled to leave the ogress; +and this hope comforted me. Then I said to myself, +I am very wretched, but I have never injured anybody, +and if I had any one to advise me I should not be as I +am. This lightened my sorrow a little, though it had +greatly increased at the loss of my rose-tree," added +Goualeuse, with a sigh.</p> + +<p>"Always so very sad."</p> + +<p>"Yes; but look, here it is."</p> + +<p>And Goualeuse took from her pocket a little bundle +of wood trimmed very carefully, and tied with a rose-coloured +bow.</p> + +<p>"What, have you kept it?"</p> + +<p>"I have, indeed; it is all I possess in the world."</p> + +<p>"What, have you nothing else?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing."</p> + +<p>"This coral necklace?"</p> + +<p>"Belongs to the ogress."</p> + +<p>"And you have not a piece of riband, a cap, or +handkerchief?"</p> + +<p>"No, nothing,—nothing but the dead branches of +my poor rose-tree; and that is why I love it so."</p> + +<p>When Rodolph and Goualeuse had reached the Quai +aux Fleurs, a coach was waiting there, into which +Rodolph handed Goualeuse. He got in himself, saying +to the driver:</p> + +<p>"To St. Denis; I will tell you presently which road +to take."</p> + +<p>The coach went on. The sun was bright, and the +sky cloudless, whilst the air, fresh and crisp, circulated +freely through the open windows.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Here is a woman's cloak!" said Goualeuse, remarking +that she had seated herself on the garment without +having at first noticed it.</p> + +<p>"Yes, it is for you, my child; I brought it with me +for fear you should be cold."</p> + +<p>Little accustomed to such attention, the poor girl +looked at Rodolph with surprise.</p> + +<p>"<i>Mon Dieu!</i> M. Rodolph, how kind you are; I am +really ashamed—"</p> + +<p>"Because I am kind?"</p> + +<p>"No; but you do not speak as you did yesterday; +you appear quite another person."</p> + +<p>"Tell me, then, Fleur-de-Marie, which do you like +best,—the Rodolph of yesterday, or the Rodolph of +to-day?"</p> + +<p>"I like you better now; yet yesterday I seemed to be +more your equal." Then, as if correcting herself, and +fearing to have annoyed Rodolph, she said to him, +"When I say your equal, M. Rodolph, I do not mean +that I can ever be that."</p> + +<p>"One thing in you astonishes me very much, +Fleur-de-Marie."</p> + +<p>"And what is that, M. Rodolph?"</p> + +<p>"You appear to have forgotten that the Chouette said +to you yesterday that she knew the persons who had +brought you up."</p> + +<p>"Oh! I have not forgotten it; I thought of it all +night, and I cried bitterly; but I am sure it is not true; +she invented this tale to make me unhappy."</p> + +<p>"Yet the Chouette may know more than you think. +If it were so, should you not be delighted to be restored +to your parents?"</p> + +<p>"Alas, sir! if my parents never loved me, what should +I gain by discovering them? They would only see me +and—But if they <i>did</i> ever love me, what shame I +should bring on them! Perhaps I should kill them!"</p> + +<p>"If your parents ever loved you, Fleur-de-Marie, they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span> +will pity, pardon, and still love you. If they have abandoned +you, then, when they see the frightful destiny to +which they have brought you, <i>their</i> shame and remorse +will avenge you."</p> + +<p>"What is the good of vengeance?"</p> + +<p>"You are right; let us talk no more on the subject."</p> + +<p>At this moment the carriage reached St. Ouen, +where the road divides to St. Denis and the Revolte. +In spite of the monotony of the landscape, Fleur-de-Marie +was so delighted at seeing the fields, as she called +them, that, forgetting the sad thoughts which the recollection +of the Chouette had awakened in her, her lovely +countenance grew radiant with delight. She leaned out +of the window, clasping her hands, and crying:</p> + +<p>"M. Rodolph, how happy I am! Grass! Fields! +May I get out? It is so fine! I should so like to run +in the meadows."</p> + +<p>"Let us run, then, my child. Coachman, stop."</p> + +<p>"What! You, too? Will you run, M. Rodolph?"</p> + +<p>"I'm having a holiday."</p> + +<p>"Oh! What pleasure!"</p> + +<p>And Rodolph and Goualeuse, taking each other's +hand, ran as fast as they could over a long piece of latter-grass, +just mowed. It would be impossible to describe +the leaps and exclamations of joy, the intense delight, +of Fleur-de-Marie. Poor lamb! so long a prisoner, she +inspired the free air with indescribable pleasure. She +ran, returned, stopped, and then raced off again with +renewed happiness. At the sight of the daisies and +buttercups Goualeuse could not restrain her transport,—she +did not leave one flower which she could gather. +After having run about in this way for some time, she +became rather tired, for she had lost the habit of exercise, +and stopped to take breath, sitting down on the +trunk of a fallen tree which was lying at the edge of +a deep ditch.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 319px;"><a name="image88" id="image88"></a> +<img src="images/i003.jpg" width="319" height="500" alt=""She Proffered to Rodolph the Bouquet" +Etching by Mercier, after the drawing by Frank T. Merrill" title=""She Proffered to Rodolph the Bouquet"" /> +<span class="caption">"<i>She Proffered to Rodolph the Bouquet</i>"<br /> +<span class="artist">Etching by Mercier, after the drawing by Frank T. Merrill</span></span> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span></p> + +<p>The clear and white complexion of Fleur-de-Marie, generally +rather pale, was now heightened by the brightest +colour. Her large blue eyes sparkled brightly, her vermilion +lips, partly opened to recover her breath, displayed +two rows of liquid pearls; her bosom throbbed under +her worn-out little orange shawl, and she placed one of +her hands upon her heart, as if to restrain its quickened +pulsation, whilst with the other hand she proffered to +Rodolph the bouquet of field flowers which she had just +gathered. Nothing could be more charming than the +combination of innocence and pure joy which beamed +on her expressive countenance. When Fleur-de-Marie +could speak, she said to Rodolph, with an accent of +supreme happiness and of gratitude, almost amounting +to piety:</p> + +<p>"How good is the great God to give us so fine a +day!"</p> + +<p>A tear came into Rodolph's eye when he heard this +poor, forsaken, despised, lost creature utter a cry of +happiness and deep gratitude to the Creator, because +she enjoyed a ray of sunshine and the sight of a green +field. He was roused from his reverie by an unexpected +occurrence.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span></p> +<h3>CHAPTER IX.</h3> + +<h5>THE SURPRISE.</h5> + + +<p>We have said that Goualeuse was sitting on the trunk +of a fallen tree, at the edge of a deep ditch. Suddenly +a man, springing up from the bottom of this hollow, +shook the rubbish from him under which he had concealed +himself, and burst into a loud fit of laughter. +Goualeuse turned around, screaming with alarm. It was +the Chourineur.</p> + +<p>"Don't be frightened, my girl," said the Chourineur, +when he saw her extreme fear, and that she had sought +protection from her companion. "Ah, Master Rodolph, +here's a curious meeting, which I am sure neither you +nor I expected." Then he added, in a serious tone, +"Listen, master. People may say what they like, but +there is something in the air,—there, up there, above +our heads, very wonderful; which seems to say to a +man, 'Go where I send you.' See how you two have +been sent here. It is devilish wonderful!"</p> + +<p>"What are you doing there?" said Rodolph, greatly +surprised.</p> + +<p>"I was on the lookout in a matter of yours, master; +but, thunder and lightning! what a high joke that you +should come at this particular moment into this very +neighbourhood of my country-house! There's something +in all this,—decidedly there is something."</p> + +<p>"But again I ask you, what are you doing there?"</p> + +<p>"All in good time, I'll tell you; only let me first look +about me for a moment."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span></p> + +<p>The Chourineur then ran towards the coach, which +was some distance off, looked this way and that way +over the plain with a keen and rapid glance, and then +rejoined Rodolph, running quickly.</p> + +<p>"Will you explain to me the meaning of all this?"</p> + +<p>"Patience, patience, good master; one word more. +What's o'clock?"</p> + +<p>"Half past twelve," said Rodolph, looking at his +watch.</p> + +<p>"All right; we have time, then. The Chouette will +not be here for the next half-hour."</p> + +<p>"The Chouette!" cried Rodolph and the girl both at +once.</p> + +<p>"Yes, the Chouette; in two words, master, I'll tell +you all. Yesterday, after you had left the <i>tapis-franc</i>, +there came—"</p> + +<p>"A tall man with a woman in man's attire, who asked +for me; I know all about that, but then—"</p> + +<p>"Then they paid for my liquor, and wanted to 'draw' +me about you. I had nothing to tell them, because you +had communicated nothing to me, except those fisticuffs +which settled me. All I know is, that I learned +something then which I shall not easily forget. But we +are friends for life and death, Master Rodolph, though +the devil burn me if I know why. I feel for you the +regard which the bulldog feels for his master. It was +after you told me that I had 'heart and honour;' but +that's nothing, so there's an end of it. It is no use trying +to account for it; so it is, and so let it be, if it's any +good to you."</p> + +<p>"Many thanks, my man; but go on."</p> + +<p>"The tall man and the little lady in men's clothes, +finding that they could get nothing out of me, left the +ogress's, and so did I; they going towards the Palais de +Justice, and I to Notre Dame. On reaching the end of +the street I found it was raining pitchforks, points downward,—a +complete deluge. There was an old house<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span> +in ruins close at hand, and I said to myself, 'If this +shower is to last all night, I shall sleep as well here as +in my own "crib."' So I rolled myself into a sort of +cave, where I was high and dry; my bed was an old +beam, and my pillow a heap of lath and plaster, and +there I slept like a king."</p> + +<p>"Well, well, go on."</p> + +<p>"We had drank together, Master Rodolph; I had +drank, too, with the tall man and the little woman +dressed in man's clothes, so you may believe my head +was rather heavy, and, besides, nothing sends me off to +sleep like a good fall of rain. I began then to snooze, +but I had not been long asleep, I think, when, aroused +by a noise, I sat up and listened. I heard the Schoolmaster, +who was talking in a friendly tone with somebody. +I soon made out that he was parleying with the +tall man who came into the <i>tapis-franc</i> with the little +woman dressed in man's clothes."</p> + +<p>"They in conference with the Schoolmaster and the +Chouette?" said Rodolph, with amazement.</p> + +<p>"With the Schoolmaster and the Chouette; and they +agreed to meet again on the morrow."</p> + +<p>"That's to-day!" said Rodolph.</p> + +<p>"At one o'clock."</p> + +<p>"This very moment!"</p> + +<p>"Where the road branches off to St. Denis and La +Revolte."</p> + +<p>"This very spot!"</p> + +<p>"Just as you say, Master Rodolph, on this very spot."</p> + +<p>"The Schoolmaster! Oh, pray be on your guard, +M. Rodolph," exclaimed Fleur-de-Marie.</p> + +<p>"Don't be alarmed, my child, he won't come; it's only +the Chouette."</p> + +<p>"How could the man who, with the female in disguise, +sought me at the <i>tapis-franc</i>, come into contact with +these two wretches?" said Rodolph.</p> + +<p>"I'faith I don't know, and I think I only awoke at the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span> +end of the affair, for the tall man was talking of getting +back his pocketbook, which the Chouette was to bring +here in exchange for five hundred francs. I should say +that the Schoolmaster had begun by robbing him, and +that it was after that that they began to parley, and to +come to friendly terms."</p> + +<p>"It is very strange."</p> + +<p>"<i>Mon Dieu!</i> it makes me quite frightened on your +account, M. Rodolph," said Fleur-de-Marie.</p> + +<p>"Master Rodolph is no chicken, girl; but as you say, +there may be something working against him, and so I +am here."</p> + +<p>"Go on, my good fellow."</p> + +<p>"The tall man and the little woman have promised +two thousand francs to the Schoolmaster to do to you—I +don't know what. The Chouette is to be here directly +to return the pocketbook, and to know what is required +from them, which she is to tell the Schoolmaster, who +will undertake it."</p> + +<p>Fleur-de-Marie started. Rodolph smiled disdainfully.</p> + +<p>"Two thousand francs to do something to you, Master +Rodolph; that makes me think that when I see a notice +of a dog that has been lost (I don't mean to make a +comparison), and the offer of a hundred francs reward +for his discovery, I say to myself, 'Animal, if you were +lost, no one would give a hundred farthings to find you.' +Two thousand francs to do something to you! Who are +you, then?"</p> + +<p>"I'll tell you by and by."</p> + +<p>"That's enough, master. When I heard this proposal, +I said to myself, I must find out where these two dons +live who want to set the Schoolmaster on the haunches +of M. Rodolph; it may be serviceable. So when they +had gone away, I got out of my hiding-place, and +followed them quietly. I saw the tall man and little +woman get into a coach near Notre Dame, and I got up +behind, and we went on until we reached the Boulevard<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span> +de l'Observatoire. It was as dark as the mouth of an +oven, and I could not distinguish anything, so I cut a +notch in a tree, that I might find out the place in the +morning."</p> + +<p>"Well thought of, my good fellow."</p> + +<p>"This morning I went there, and about ten yards from +the tree I saw a narrow entrance, closed by a gate. In +the mud there were little and large footsteps, and at the +end of the entrance a small garden-gate, where the traces +ended; so the roosting-place of the tall man and the little +woman must be there."</p> + +<p>"Thanks, my worthy friend, you have done me a most +essential piece of service, without knowing it."</p> + +<p>"I beg your pardon, Master Rodolph, but I believed I +was serving you, and that was the reason I did as I did."</p> + +<p>"I know it, my fine fellow, and I wish I could recompense +your service more properly than by thanks; but, +unfortunately, I am only a poor devil of a workman, +although you say they offer two thousand francs for +something to be done against me. I will explain that +to you."</p> + +<p>"Yes, if you like, but not unless. Somebody threatens +you with something, and I will come across them if I +can; the rest is your affair."</p> + +<p>"I know what they want. Listen to me. I have a +secret for cutting fans in ivory by a mechanical process, +but this secret does not belong to me alone. I am awaiting +my comrade to go to work, and, no doubt, it is the +model of the machine which I have at home that they +are desirous of getting from me at any price, for there +is a great deal of money to be made by this discovery."</p> + +<p>"The tall man and the little woman then are—"</p> + +<p>"Work-people with whom I have been associated, and +to whom I have refused my secret."</p> + +<p>This explanation appeared satisfactory to the Chourineur, +whose apprehension was not the clearest in the +world, and he replied:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Now I understand it all. The beggars! you see +they have not the courage to do their dirty tricks themselves. +But to come to the end of my story. I said to +myself this morning, I know the rendezvous of the +Chouette and the tall man; I will go there and wait for +them; I have good legs, and my employer will wait for +me. I came here and found this hole, and, taking an +armful of stuff from the dunghill yonder, I hid myself +here up to my nose, and waited for the Chouette. But, +lo and behold! you came into the field, and poor +Goualeuse came and sat down on the very edge of my +park, and then I determined to have a bit of fun, and, +jumping out of my lair, I called out like a man on +fire."</p> + +<p>"And now what do you propose to do?"</p> + +<p>"To wait for the Chouette, who is sure to come first; +to try and overhear what she and the tall man talk +about, for that may be useful for you to know. There is +nothing in the field but this trunk of a tree, and from +here you may see all over the plain; it is as if it were +made on purpose to sit down upon. The rendezvous of +the Chouette is only four steps off at the cross-road, and +I will lay a bet they come and sit here when they arrive. +If I cannot hear anything, then, as soon as they separate, +I will follow the Chouette, who is sure to stay last, and +I'll pay her the old grudge I owe her for the Goualeuse's +tooth; and I'll twist her neck until she tells me the +name of the parents of the poor girl, for she says she +knows them. What do you think of my idea, Master +Rodolph?"</p> + +<p>"I like it very well, my lad; but there is one part +which you must alter."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Chourineur, do not get yourself into any quarrel +on my account. If you beat the Chouette, then the +Schoolmaster—"</p> + +<p>"Say no more, my lass. The Chouette shall not go +scot free for me. Confound it! why, for the very reason<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span> +that the Schoolmaster will defend her, I will double her +dose."</p> + +<p>"Listen, my man, to me; I have a better plan for +avenging the Chouette's brutalities to Goualeuse, which +I will tell you hereafter. Now," said Rodolph, moving +a few paces from Goualeuse, and speaking low, "Now, +will you render me a real service?"</p> + +<p>"Name it, Master Rodolph."</p> + +<p>"The Chouette does not know you?"</p> + +<p>"I saw her yesterday for the first time at the <i>tapis-franc</i>."</p> + +<p>"This is what you must do. Hide yourself first; but, +when you see her come close to you, get out of this +hole—"</p> + +<p>"And twist her neck?"</p> + +<p>"No, defer that for a time. To-day, only prevent her +from speaking to the tall man. He, seeing some one +with her, will not approach; and if he does, do not leave +her alone for a moment. He cannot make his proposal +before you."</p> + +<p>"If the man thinks me curious, I know what to do; +he is neither the Schoolmaster nor Master Rodolph. I +will follow the Chouette like her shadow, and the man +shall not say a word that I do not overhear. He will +then be off, and after that I will have one little turn with +the Chouette. I must have it; it will be such a sweet +drop for me."</p> + +<p>"Not yet; the one-eyed hag does not know whether +you are a thief or not?"</p> + +<p>"No, not unless the Schoolmaster has talked of me +to her, and told her that I did not do business in that +line."</p> + +<p>"If he have, you must appear to have altered your +ideas on that subject."</p> + +<p>"I?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Ten thousand thunders! M. Rodolph, what do you<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span> +mean? Indeed—truly—I don't like it; it does not +suit me to play such a farce as that."</p> + +<p>"You shall only do what you please; but you will +not find that I shall suggest any infamous plan to you. +The tall man once driven away, you must try and talk +over the Chouette. As she will be very savage at having +missed the good haul she expected, you must try +and smooth her down by telling her that you know of a +capital bit of business which may be done, and that you +are then waiting for your comrade, and that, if the +Schoolmaster will join you, there is a lump of money to +be made."</p> + +<p>"Well, well."</p> + +<p>"After waiting with her for an hour, you may say, +'My mate does not come, and so the job must be put +off;' and then you may make an appointment with the +Chouette and the Schoolmaster for to-morrow, at an +early hour. Do you understand me?"</p> + +<p>"Quite."</p> + +<p>"And this evening, at ten o'clock, meet me at the corner +of the Champs Elysées and the Allée des Veuves, +and I will tell you more."</p> + +<p>"If it is a trap, look out! The Schoolmaster is a +scoundrel. You have beaten him, and, no doubt, he +will kill you if he can."</p> + +<p>"Have no fear."</p> + +<p>"By Jove! it is a 'rum start;' but do as you like with +me. I do not hesitate, for something tells me that there +is a rod in pickle for the Schoolmaster and the Chouette. +One word, though, if you please, M. Rodolph."</p> + +<p>"Say it."</p> + +<p>"I do not think you are the man to lay a trap, and +set the police on the Schoolmaster. He is an arrant +blackguard, who deserves a hundred deaths; but to have +them arrested, that I will not have a hand in."</p> + +<p>"Nor I, my boy; but I have a score to wipe off +with him and the Chouette, because they are in a plot<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span> +with others against me; but we two will baffle them +completely, if you will lend me your assistance."</p> + +<p>"Of course I will; and, if that is to be the game, I +am your man. But quick, quick," cried the Chourineur, +"down there I see the head of the Chouette. I know it +is her bonnet. Go, go, and I will drop into my hole."</p> + +<p>"To-night, then, at ten o'clock."</p> + +<p>"At the corner of the Champs Elysées and the Allée +des Veuves; all right."</p> + +<p>Fleur-de-Marie had not heard a word of the latter +part of the conversation between the Chourineur and +Rodolph, and now entered again into the coach with her +travelling companion.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span></p> +<h3>CHAPTER X.</h3> + +<h5>CASTLES IN THE AIR.</h5> + + +<p>For some time after this conversation with the Chourineur, +Rodolph remained preoccupied and pensive, while +Fleur-de-Marie, too timid to break the silence, continued +to gaze on him with saddened earnestness. At +length Rodolph looked up, and, meeting her mournful +look, smiled kindly on her, and said, "What are you +thinking of, my child? I fear our rencontre with the +Chourineur has made you uncomfortable, and we were +so merry, too."</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, M. Rodolph, indeed, I do not mind it at all; +nay, I even believe the meeting with the Chourineur may +be useful to you."</p> + +<p>"Did not this man pass amongst the inhabitants of the +<i>tapis-franc</i> as possessing some good points among his +many bad ones?"</p> + +<p>"Indeed, I know not, M. Rodolph; for although, previously +to the scene of yesterday, I had frequently seen +him, I had scarcely ever spoken to him. I always looked +upon him as bad as all the rest."</p> + +<p>"Well, well, do not let us talk any more about him, +my pretty Fleur-de-Marie. I should be sorry, indeed, to +make you sad,—I, who brought you out purposely that +you might spend a happy day."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I am happy. It is so very long since I have +been out of Paris."</p> + +<p>"Not since your grand doings with Rigolette."</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed, M. Rodolph; but that was in the spring.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span> +Yet, though it is now autumn, I enjoy it quite as much. +How beautifully the sun shines! Only look at the gold-coloured +clouds out there—there, I mean; and then that +hill, with its pretty white houses half hid among the +trees, and the leaves still so green, though we are in the +middle of the month of October. Do not you think it +is wonderful, M. Rodolph, they should so well preserve +their verdure? In Paris, all the leaves wither so soon. +Look! look at those pigeons! how many there are! and +how high they fly! Now they are settling on that old +mill. One is never tired in the open fields of looking at +all these amusing sights."</p> + +<p>"It, is, indeed, a pleasure to behold the delight you +seem to take in all these trifling matters, Fleur-de-Marie; +though they, in reality, constitute the charm of +a landscape."</p> + +<p>And Rodolph was right; for the countenance of his +companion, while gazing upon the fair, calm scene before +her, was lit up with an expression of the purest joy.</p> + +<p>"See!" she exclaimed, after intently watching the +different objects that unfolded themselves to her eager +look, "see how beautifully the clear white smoke rises +from those cottages, and ascends to the very clouds +themselves; and there are some men ploughing the land. +What a capital plough they have got, drawn by those two +fine gray horses. Oh, if I were a man, how I should +like to be a husbandman, to go out in the fields, and +drive one's own plough; and then when you look to see +the blue skies, and the green shiny leaves of the neighbouring +forests,—such a day as to-day, for instance, +when you feel half inclined to weep, without knowing +why, and begin singing old and melancholy songs, like +'Geneviève de Brabant.' Do you know 'Geneviève de +Brabant,' M. Rodolph?"</p> + +<p>"No, my child; but I hope you will have the kindness +to sing it to me before the day is over. You know our +time is all our own."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span></p> + +<p>At these words, which reminded the poor Goualeuse +that her newly tasted happiness was fast fleeting away, +and that, at the close of this, the brightest day that had +ever shone on her existence, she must return to all the +horrors of a corrupt city, her feelings broke through all +restraint, she hid her face in her hands and burst into +tears. Much surprised at her emotion, Rodolph kindly +inquired its cause.</p> + +<p>"What ails you, Fleur-de-Marie? What fresh grief +have you found?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing,—nothing indeed, M. Rodolph," replied the +girl, drying her eyes and trying to smile. "Pray forgive +me for being so sad, and please not to notice it. I +assure you I have nothing at all to grieve about,—it is +only a fancy; and now I am going to be quite gay, you +will see."</p> + +<p>"And you were as gay as could be a few minutes ago."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I know I was; and it was my thinking how +soon—" answered Fleur-de-Marie, naïvely, and raising +her large, tearful blue eyes, with touching candour, to his +face.</p> + +<p>The look, the words, fully enlightened Rodolph as to +the cause of her distress, and, wishing to dissipate it, he +said, smilingly:</p> + +<p>"I would lay a wager you are regretting your poor +rose-tree, and are crying because you could not bring it +out walking with you, as you used to do."</p> + +<p>La Goualeuse fell into the good-natured scheme for +regaining her cheerfulness, and by degrees the clouds of +sadness cleared away from her fair young face; and +once again she appeared absorbed in the pleasure of the +moment, without allowing herself to recollect the future +that would succeed it. The vehicle had by this time +almost arrived at St. Denis, and the tall spires of the +cathedral were visible.</p> + +<p>"Oh, what a fine steeple!" exclaimed La Goualeuse.</p> + +<p>"It is that of the splendid church of St. Denis:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span> +would you like to see it? We can easily stop our +carriage."</p> + +<p>Poor Fleur-de-Marie cast down her eyes. "From the +hour I went to live with the ogress," said she, in a low +tone, while deep blushes dyed her cheek, "I never once +entered a church,—I durst not. When in prison, on +the contrary, I used to delight in helping to sing the +mass; and, against the Fête-Dieu, oh, I made such +lovely bouquets for the altar!"</p> + +<p>"But God is merciful and good; why, then, fear to +pray to him, or to enter his holy church?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, no, M. Rodolph! I have offended God +deeply enough; let me not add impiety and sacrilege +to my sins."</p> + +<p>After a moment's silence, Rodolph again renewed the +conversation, and, kindly taking the hand of La Goualeuse, +said, "Fleur-de-Marie, tell me honestly, have you +ever known what it is to love?"</p> + +<p>"Never, M. Rodolph."</p> + +<p>"And how do you account for this?"</p> + +<p>"You saw the kind of persons who frequented the +<i>tapis-franc</i>. And then, to love, the object should be +good and virtuous—"</p> + +<p>"Why do you think so?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, because one's lover, or husband, would be all in +all to us, and we should seek no greater happiness than +devoting our life to him. But, M. Rodolph, if you please, +we will talk of something else, for the tears will come +into my eyes."</p> + +<p>"Willingly, Fleur-de-Marie; let us change the conversation. +And now tell me, why do you look so beseechingly +at me with those large, tearful eyes? Have I done +anything to displease you?"</p> + +<p>"On the contrary, 'tis the excess of your goodness +that makes me weep; indeed, I could almost fancy that +you had brought me out solely for my individual pleasure +and enjoyment, without thinking of yourself. Not content<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span> +with your generous defence of me yesterday, you +have to-day procured for me happiness such as I never +hoped to enjoy."</p> + +<p>"You are, then, truly and entirely happy?"</p> + +<p>"Never, never shall I forget to-day."</p> + +<p>"Happiness does not often attend us on earth," said +Rodolph, sighing.</p> + +<p>"Alas, no! Seldom, perhaps never."</p> + +<p>"For my own part, to make up for a want of reality +in its possession, I often amuse myself with pictures of +what I would have if I could, saying to myself, this is +how, and where, I should like to live,—this is the sort +of income I should like to enjoy. Have you never, +my little Fleur-de-Marie, amused yourself with building +similar 'castles in the air?'"</p> + +<p>"Yes, formerly, when I was in prison, before I went to +live with the ogress,—then I used to do nothing all day +but dance, sing, and build these fairy dreams; but I +very seldom do so now. Tell me, M. Rodolph, if you +could have any wish you liked, what should you most +desire?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I should like to be rich, with plenty of servants +and carriages; to possess a splendid hôtel, and to mix in +the first circles of fashion; to be able to obtain any +amusement I pleased, and to go to the theatres and opera +whenever I chose."</p> + +<p>"Well, then, you would be more unreasonable than I +should. Now I will tell you exactly what would satisfy +me in every respect: first of all, sufficient money to +clear myself with the ogress, and to keep me till I could +obtain work for my future support; then a pretty, little, +nice, clean room, all to myself, from the window of +which I could see the trees while I sat at my work."</p> + +<p>"Plenty of flowers in your casement, of course?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, certainly! And, if it could be managed, to live +in the country always. And that, I think, is all I should +want."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Let me see: a little room, and work enough to maintain +you,—those are positive necessaries; but, when one +is merely wishing, there is no harm in adding a few +superfluities. Should you not like such nice things as +carriages, diamonds, and rich clothes?"</p> + +<p>"Not at all! All I wish for is my free and undisturbed +liberty,—a country life, and the certainty of not dying +in a hospital. Oh, that idea is dreadful! Above all +things, I would desire the certainty of its never being my +fate. Oh, M. Rodolph, that dread often comes across +me and fills me with terror."</p> + +<p>"Alas! poor folks, such as we are, should not shrink +from such things."</p> + +<p>"'Tis not the dying in a charitable institution I dread, +or the poverty that would send me into it, but the +thoughts of what they do to your lifeless remains."</p> + +<p>"What do they do that shocks you so much?"</p> + +<p>"Is it possible, M. Rodolph, you have never been +told what will become of you if you die in one of +those places?"</p> + +<p>"No, indeed, I have not; do you tell me."</p> + +<p>"Well, then, I knew a young girl, who had been a +sort of companion to me when I was in prison; she +afterwards died in a hospital, and what do you think? +Her body was given to the surgeons for dissection!" +murmured the shuddering Fleur-de-Marie.</p> + +<p>"That is, indeed, a frightful idea! And do these +miserable anticipations often trouble you, my poor +girl?"</p> + +<p>"Ah, M. Rodolph, it surprises you that, after my +unhappy life, I can feel any concern as to what becomes +of my miserable remains! God knows, the feeling +which makes me shrink from such an outrage to modesty +is all my wretched fate has left me!"</p> + +<p>The mournful tone in which these words were uttered, +and the bitter feelings they contained, went to the heart +of Rodolph; but his companion, quickly perceiving his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span> +air of dejection, and blaming herself for having caused it, +said, timidly:</p> + +<p>"M. Rodolph, I feel that I am behaving very ill +and ungratefully towards you, who so kindly brought me +out to amuse me and give me pleasure; in return for +which I only keep talking to you about all the dull and +gloomy things I can think of! I wonder how I can do +so!—to be able even to recollect my misery, when all +around me smiles and looks so gay! I cannot tell how +it is, words seem to rise from my lips in spite of myself; +and, though I feel happier to-day than I ever did before +in my life, my eyes are continually filling with tears! +You are not angry with me, are you, M. Rodolph? +See, too, my sadness is going away as suddenly as it +came. There now, it is all gone, and shall not return to +vex you any more, I am determined. Look, M. Rodolph, +just look at my eyes,—they do not show that I +have been crying, do they?"</p> + +<p>And here Fleur-de-Marie, having repeatedly closed her +eyes to get rid of the rebellious tears that would gather +there, opened them full upon Rodolph, with a look of +most enchanting candour and sweetness.</p> + +<p>"Put no restraint on yourself, I beseech you, Fleur-de-Marie: +be gay, if you really feel so; or sad, if sadness +most suits your present state of mind. I have my own +hours of gloom and melancholy, and my sufferings would +be much increased were I compelled to feign a lightness +of heart I did not really possess."</p> + +<p>"Can it be possible, M. Rodolph, that you are ever +sad?"</p> + +<p>"Quite possible, my child, and true. Alas! the prospect +before me is but little brighter than your own. I, +like you, am without friends or parents; what would become +of me if I were to fall ill and be unable to earn my +daily bread,—for I need scarcely tell you I live but from +day to day, and spend my money quite as fast as I +obtain it?"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, but that is wrong, M. Rodolph,—very, very +wrong!" said La Goualeuse, in a tone of such deep +and grave remonstrance as made him smile. "You +should always lay by something. Look at me: why, all +my troubles and misfortunes have happened because I did +not save my money more carefully. If once a person +can get a hundred francs beforehand, he need never fear +falling into any one's power; generally, a difficulty about +money puts very evil thoughts into our head."</p> + +<p>"All that is very wise and very sensible, my frugal +little friend; but a hundred francs!—that is a large +sum; how could a man like myself ever amass so +much?"</p> + +<p>"Why, M. Rodolph, it is really very easy, if you will +but consider a little. First of all, I think you said +you could earn five francs a day?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, so I can, when I choose to work."</p> + +<p>"Ah! but you should work, constantly and regularly; +and yours is such a pretty trade. To paint fans! how +nice such work must be,—mere amusement, quite a +recreation! I cannot think why you should ever be tired +or dull. Indeed, M. Rodolph, I must tell you plainly +I do not pity you at all; and, besides, really you +talk like a mere child when you say you cannot save +money out of such large earnings," added La Goualeuse, +in a sweet, but, for her, severe tone. "Why, a workman +may live well upon three francs a day; there remain +forty sous; at the end of a month, if you manage prudently, +you will have saved sixty francs. Think of that! +There's a sum!—sixty francs in one month!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, but one likes to show off sometimes, and to +indulge in a little idleness."</p> + +<p>"There now, M. Rodolph, I declare you make me +quite angry to hear you talk so childishly! Pray let +me advise you to be wiser."</p> + +<p>"Come, then, my sage little monitress, I will be a +good boy, and listen to all your careful advice. And<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span> +your idea of saving, too, is a remarkably good one; I +never thought of it before."</p> + +<p>"Really!" exclaimed the poor girl, clapping her +hands with joy. "Oh, if you knew how delighted I am +to hear you say so! Then you will begin from to-day to +lay by the forty sous we were talking about, will you? +Will you, indeed?"</p> + +<p>"I give you my honour that, from this very hour, I +will resolve to follow up your most excellent plan, and +save forty sous out of each day's pay."</p> + +<p>"Are you quite, quite sure you will?"</p> + +<p>"Nay, have I not promised you that I will?"</p> + +<p>"You will see how proud and happy you will be with +your first savings; and that is not all—ah, if you +would promise not to be angry!"</p> + +<p>"Do I look as though I could be so unkind, Fleur-de-Marie, +as to find fault with anything you said?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, indeed, that you do not; only I hardly +know whether I ought—"</p> + +<p>"You ought to tell me everything you think or feel, +Fleur-de-Marie."</p> + +<p>"Well, then, I was wondering how <i>you</i>, who, it is +easily seen, are above your condition, can frequent such +low cabarets as that kept by the ogress."</p> + +<p>"Had I not done so, I should not have had the pleasure +of wandering in the fields with you to-day, my dear +Fleur-de-Marie."</p> + +<p>"That is, indeed, true, M. Rodolph; but, still, it does +not alter my first opinion. No, much as I enjoy to-day's +treat, I would cheerfully give up all thoughts of ever +passing such another if I thought it could in any way +injure you."</p> + +<p>"Injure me! Far from it! Think of the excellent +advice you have been giving me."</p> + +<p>"Which you have promised me to follow?"</p> + +<p>"I have; and I pledge my word of honour to save +henceforward at least forty sous a day." Thus speaking,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span> +Rodolph called out to the driver of their vehicle, who +was passing the village of Sarcelles, "Take the first +road to the right, cross Villiers to Bel, turn to the left, +then keep along quite straight."</p> + +<p>"Now," said Rodolph, turning to his companion, +"that I am a good boy, and promised to do all you tell +me, let us go back to our diversion of building castles +in the air: that does not run away with much money. +You will not object to such a method of amusing myself, +will you?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, build as many as you like, they are very +cheaply raised, and very easily knocked down when you +are tired of them. Now, then, you begin."</p> + +<p>"Well, then—No! Fleur-de-Marie, you shall build +up yours first."</p> + +<p>"I wonder if you could guess what I should choose, +if wishing were all, M. Rodolph."</p> + +<p>"Let us try. Suppose that this road—I say <i>this</i> +road, because we happen to be on it—"</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, of course; this road is as good as any +other."</p> + +<p>"Well, then, I say, I suppose that this road leads to +a delightful little village, at a considerable distance from +the highroad—"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes; that makes it so much more still and quiet!"</p> + +<p>"It is built facing the south, and half surrounded by +trees—"</p> + +<p>"And close by flows a gentle river."</p> + +<p>"Exactly!—a clear, gently flowing river. At the +end of this village stands a pretty farm, with a nice +orchard on one side of it, and a garden, filled with +flowers, on the other—"</p> + +<p>"That farm shall be called my farm, to which we +will pretend we are now going."</p> + +<p>"Just so."</p> + +<p>"And where we know we shall get some delicious +milk to drink after our journey!"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Milk, indeed! Excellent cream, and newly laid eggs, +if you please."</p> + +<p>"And where we would be glad to stay all our lives!"</p> + +<p>"All our lives! Quite right,—go on."</p> + +<p>"And then we should go and see all the cows!"</p> + +<p>"To be sure we should."</p> + +<p>"And afterwards visit the dairy?"</p> + +<p>"Visit the dairy! Yes."</p> + +<p>"Then the pigeon-house?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, so we should."</p> + +<p>"Oh, how very, very nice, only to think of such +things!"</p> + +<p>"But let me finish the description of the farm—"</p> + +<p>"Yes, pray do! I quite forgot that."</p> + +<p>"Well, then, the ground floor contains two rooms; +one, a large kitchen for the farm servants, and the other +for the owner of the place."</p> + +<p>"Make that room have green blinds, M. Rodolph,—do, +pray; they are so cool, and look so pretty!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes,—green blinds to the windows. I quite +agree with you,—they do look uncommonly pretty, and +set off a place so well! Of course, the person tenanting +this farm is your aunt."</p> + +<p>"Of course she is my aunt, and a very good, sensible, +kind woman, M. Rodolph, is she not?"</p> + +<p>"Particularly so, and loves you like her own child."</p> + +<p>"Dear, good aunt! Oh, how delightful to have some +one to love us!"</p> + +<p>"And you return the tender affection she bears you?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, with all my heart!" exclaimed Fleur-de-Marie, +clasping her hands, and raising her eyes to heaven with +an expression impossible to describe. "And I should +help her to work, to attend to the family linen, to keep +everything neat and clean, to store up the summer +fruits against winter—oh, she would never have to +complain that I was idle, I promise! First of all, in +the morning—"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Wait a bit, Fleur-de-Marie; you are in too great a +hurry. I want to finish describing the house to you; +never mind your aunt just yet."</p> + +<p>"Ah, ha, Mr. Painter! All this is taken from some +pretty landscape you have been painting on a fan. Now +I know what makes you so expert at describing it!" said +La Goualeuse, laughing merrily at her own little jest.</p> + +<p>"You little chatterer, be quiet, will you?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I am a chatterer, indeed, to interrupt you so +often, M. Rodolph; but pray go on, and I will not speak +again till you have finished painting this dear farm."</p> + +<p>"Your room is on the first floor—"</p> + +<p>"My room! how charming! Oh, go on—go on, +please, M. Rodolph, and describe all about it to me!" +And the delighted girl opened her large laughing eyes, +and pressed more closely against Rodolph, as if she +expected to see the picture in his hand.</p> + +<p>"Your chamber has two windows looking out upon +the flower garden, and a small meadow, watered by the +river we mentioned. On the opposite bank of the stream +rises a small hill, planted with fine old chestnut-trees; +and from amongst them peeps out the village church—"</p> + +<p>"Oh, how beautiful,—how very beautiful, M. Rodolph! +It makes one quite long to be there."</p> + +<p>"Three or four fine cows are grazing in the meadow, +which is only separated from the garden by a hedge of +honeysuckle—"</p> + +<p>"And from my windows I can see the cows?"</p> + +<p>"Perfectly."</p> + +<p>"And one among them ought to be my favourite, you +know, M. Rodolph; and I ought to put a little bell round +its neck, and use it to feed out of my hands!"</p> + +<p>"Of course she would come when you called her. Let +me see, what name shall we give her? Suppose we say, +Musette. Do you like that? She shall be very young +and gentle, and entirely white."</p> + +<p>"Oh, what a pretty name! Musette! Ah, Musette,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span> +Musette, I shall be always feeding you and patting you +to make you know me."</p> + +<p>"Now we will finish the inside of your apartment, +Fleur-de-Marie. The curtains and furniture are green, +like the blinds; and outside the window grow an enormous +rose-tree and honeysuckle, which entirely cover +this side of the farm, and so surround your casements +that you have only to stretch out your hand to gather a +large bunch of roses and honeysuckle wet with the early +morning dew."</p> + +<p>"Ah, M. Rodolph, what a good painter you are!"</p> + +<p>"Now this is the way you will pass your day—"</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, let us see how I shall employ myself all +day."</p> + +<p>"Early in the morning your good aunt wakes you with +a tender kiss; she brings with her a bowl of new milk, +just warm, which she prays you to drink, as she fancies +you are delicate about the lungs, poor dear child! Well, +you do as she wishes you; then rise, and take a walk +around the farm; pay a visit to Musette, the poultry, +your pets the pigeons, the flowers in the garden, till nine +o'clock, when your writing-master arrives—"</p> + +<p>"My writing-master?"</p> + +<p>"Why, you know, unless you learned such necessary +things as reading, writing, and accounts, you would not +be able to assist your aunt to keep her books relative +to the produce of the farm."</p> + +<p>"Oh, to be sure! How very stupid of me not to +recollect that I must learn to write well, if I wished +to help my aunt!" cried the young girl, so thoroughly +absorbed in the picture of this peaceful life as to believe +for the moment in its reality.</p> + +<p>"After your lesson is concluded, you will occupy yourself +in household matters, or embroider some pretty little +article of dress for yourself; then you will practise your +writing for an hour or two, and, when that is done, join +your aunt in her round of visits to the different operations<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span> +of the farm; in the summer, to see how the reapers +get on in the hay field; in harvest-time, to observe the +reapers, and afterwards to enjoy the delight with which +the gleaners pick up the scattered ears of grain; by this +time you will have almost tired yourself, and gathering +a large handful of wild herbs, carefully selected by you +as the known favourites of your dear Musette, you turn +your steps homewards—"</p> + +<p>"But we go back through the meadow, dear M. +Rodolph, do we not?" inquired La Goualeuse, as +earnestly as though every syllable her ears drank in was +to be effectually brought to pass.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes! by all means; and there happens, fortunately, +to be a nice little bridge, by which the river +separating the farm-land from the meadow may be +crossed. By the time you reach home, upon my word, +it is seven o'clock; and, as the evenings begin to be a +little chill, a bright, cheerful fire is blazing in the large +farm kitchen; you go in there for a few minutes, just to +warm yourself and to speak a few kind words to the +honest labourers, who are enjoying a hearty meal after +the day's toil is over. Then you sit down to dinner with +your aunt; sometimes the curé, or a neighbouring farmer, +is invited to share the meal. After dinner you read or +work, while your aunt and her guest have a friendly +game at piquet. At ten o'clock she dismisses you, with +a kiss and a blessing, to your chamber; you retire to +your room, offer prayers and thanksgivings to the Great +Author of all your happiness, then sleep soundly till +morning, when the same routine begins again."</p> + +<p>"Oh, M. Rodolph, one might lead such a life as +that for a hundred years, without ever knowing one +moment's weariness."</p> + +<p>"But that is not all. There are Sundays and fête-days +to be thought of."</p> + +<p>"Yes; and how should we pass those?"</p> + +<p>"Why, you would put on your holiday dress, with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span> +one of those pretty little caps <i>à la paysanne</i>, which all +admit you look so very nicely in, and accompany your +aunt in her large old-fashioned chaise, driven by James +the farm servant, to hear mass in the village church; +after which, during summer, your kind relative would +take you to the different fêtes given in the adjoining parishes. +You, so gentle, so modest and good-looking, so +tenderly beloved by your aunt, and so well spoken of by +the curé for all the virtues and qualifications which +make a good wife, will have no scarcity of offers for +your hand in the dance,—indeed, all the principal +young farmers will be anxious to secure you as a partner, +by way of opening an acquaintance which shall +last for life. By degrees you begin to remark one more +than the others; you perceive his deep desire to attract +your undivided attention, and so—" And here Rodolph, +struck by the continued silence of La Goualeuse, looked +up at her. Alas! the poor girl was endeavouring, +though fruitlessly, to choke the deep sobs which almost +suffocated her. For a brief period, carried away by the +words of Rodolph, the bright future presented to her +mental vision had effaced the horrible present; but too +quickly did the hideous picture return, and sweep away +for ever the dear delight of believing so sweet, so calm +an existence could ever be hers.</p> + +<p>"Fleur-de-Marie," asked Rodolph, in a kind and affectionate +tone, "why is this? Why these tears?"</p> + +<p>"Ah, M. Rodolph, you have unintentionally caused +me much pain. Foolish girl that I was, I had listened +to you till I quite fancied this paradise were a true +picture."</p> + +<p>"And so it is, my dear child! This paradise, as you +call it, is no fiction."</p> + +<p>"Stop, coachman!"</p> + +<p>"Now look! see! observe where we are!"</p> + +<p>As the carriage stopped, La Goualeuse, at Rodolph's +bidding, mechanically raised her head,—they were on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span> +the summit of a little hill. What was her surprise, her +astonishment, at the scene which revealed itself to her +gaze! The pretty village, built facing the south, the +farm, the meadow, the beautiful cows, the little winding +river, the chestnut grove, the church in the distance,—the +whole picture, so vividly painted, was before her eyes. +Nothing was wanting,—even the milk-white heifer, Musette, +her future pet, was peacefully grazing as she had +been described. The rich colouring of an October sun +gilded the charming landscape, while the variegated tint +of the chestnut-leaves, slightly tinged by the autumnal +breezes, stood out in bold relief against the clear blue of +the surrounding sky.</p> + +<p>"Well, my little Fleur-de-Marie, what do you say to +this? Am I a good painter, or not?"</p> + +<p>La Goualeuse looked at him with a surprise in which +a degree of uneasiness was mingled; all she saw and +heard appeared to her to partake largely of the supernatural.</p> + +<p>"M. Rodolph," she at length exclaimed, with a bewildered +look, "how can this be? Indeed, indeed, I +feel afraid to look at it,—it is so exactly alike. I cannot +believe it is anything but a dream you have conjured +up, and which will quickly pass away. Speak to me! +pray do; and tell me what to believe."</p> + +<p>"Calm yourself, my dear child! Nothing is more +simple or true than what you behold here. The good +woman who owns this farm was my nurse, and brought +me up here; intending to give myself a treat, I sent to +her early this morning to say I was coming to see her. +You see I painted after nature."</p> + +<p>"You are quite right, M. Rodolph," sighed La Goualeuse. +"There is, indeed, nothing but what is quite +natural in all this."</p> + +<p>The farm to which Rodolph had conducted Fleur-de-Marie +was situated at the outer extremity of the village +of Bouqueval,—a small, isolated, and unknown hamlet,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span> +entirely surrounded by its own lands, and about two +leagues' distance from Ecouen; the vehicle, following the +directions of Rodolph, rapidly descended the hill, and +entered a long avenue bordered with apple and cherry +trees, while the wheels rolled noiselessly over the short +fine grass with which the unfrequented road was overgrown.</p> + +<p>Fleur-de-Marie, whose utmost efforts were unavailing +to shake off the painful sensations she experienced, remained +so silent and mournful that Rodolph reproached +himself with having, by his well-intentioned surprise, +been the cause of it. In a few moments more, the carriage, +passing by the large entrance to the farm, entered +a thick avenue of elm-trees, and stopped before a little +rustic porch, half hidden by the luxuriant branches of +the vine which clustered round it.</p> + +<p>"Now, Fleur-de-Marie, here we are. Are you pleased +with what you see?"</p> + +<p>"Indeed I am, M. Rodolph. But how shall I venture +before the good person you mentioned as living here? +Pray do not let her see me,—I cannot venture to +approach her."</p> + +<p>"And why, my child?"</p> + +<p>"True, M. Rodolph; I forget she does not know me, +and will not guess how unworthy I am." And poor +Fleur-de-Marie tried to suppress the deep sigh that +would accompany her words.</p> + +<p>The arrival of Rodolph had, no doubt, been watched +for; the driver had scarcely opened the carriage door +when a prepossessing female, of middle age, dressed in +the style of wealthy landholders about Paris, and whose +countenance, though melancholy, was also gentle and +benevolent in its expression, appeared in the porch, and +with respectful eagerness advanced to meet Rodolph.</p> + +<p>Poor Goualeuse felt her cheeks flush and her heart +beat as she timidly descended from the vehicle.</p> + +<p>"Good day, good day, Madame Georges," said<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span> +Rodolph, advancing towards the individual so addressed, +"you see I am punctual." Then turning to the driver, +and putting money into his hand, he said, "Here, my +friend, there is no further occasion to detain you; you +may return to Paris as soon as you please."</p> + +<p>The coachman, a little, short, square-built man, with +his hat over his eyes, and his countenance almost entirely +concealed by the high collar of his driving-coat, pocketed +the money without a word, remounted his seat, gave his +horses the whip, and disappeared down the <i>allée verte</i> by +which he had entered.</p> + +<p>Fleur-de-Marie sprang to the side of Rodolph, and +with an air of unfeigned alarm, almost amounting to +distress, said, in a tone so low as not to be overheard by +Madame Georges:</p> + +<p>"M. Rodolph! M. Rodolph! pray do not be angry, but +why have you sent away the carriage? Will it not +return to fetch us away?"</p> + +<p>"Of course not; I have quite done with the man, and +therefore dismissed him."</p> + +<p>"But the ogress!"</p> + +<p>"What of her? Why do you mention her name?"</p> + +<p>"Alas! alas! because I must return to her this evening; +indeed, indeed, I must, or—or she will consider +me a thief. The very clothes I have on are hers, and, +besides, I owe her—"</p> + +<p>"Make yourself quite easy, my dear child; it is my +part to ask your forgiveness, not you mine."</p> + +<p>"My forgiveness! Oh, for what can you require me +to pardon you?"</p> + +<p>"For not having sooner told you that you no longer +owe the ogress anything; that it rests only with yourself +to decide whether you will henceforward make this quiet +spot your home, and cast off the garments you now wear +for others my kind friend, Madame Georges, will furnish +you with. She is much about your height, and can +supply you with everything you require. She is all<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span> +impatience to commence her part of 'aunt,' I can assure +you."</p> + +<p>Poor Fleur-de-Marie seemed utterly unable to comprehend +the meaning of all she saw and heard, and gazed +with wondering and perplexed looks from one companion +to the other, as though fearing to trust either her eyes +or ears.</p> + +<p>"Do I understand you rightly?" she cried at length, +half breathless with emotion. "Not go back to Paris? +Remain here? And this lady will permit me to stay +with her? Oh, it cannot be possible; I dare not hope +it; that would, indeed, be to realise our 'castles in the +air.'"</p> + +<p>"Dear Fleur-de-Marie, your wishes are realised,—your +dream a true one."</p> + +<p>"No, no, you must be jesting; that would be too +much happiness to expect, or even dare to hope for."</p> + +<p>"Nay, Fleur-de-Marie, we should never find fault with +an oversupply of happiness."</p> + +<p>"Ah, M. Rodolph, for pity's sake deceive me not; you +cannot believe the misery I should experience were you +to tell me all this happiness was but a jest."</p> + +<p>"My child, listen to me," said Rodolph, with a tone +and manner which, although still affectionate, was mingled +with a dignified accent and manner Fleur-de-Marie +had never previously remarked in him. "I repeat that, +if you please, you may from this very hour lead here, +with Madame Georges, that peaceful life whose description +but a short time since so much delighted you. +Though the kind lady with whom you will reside be not +your aunt, she will feel for you the most lively and +affectionate interest, and with the personages about the +farm you will pass as being really and truly her niece, +and this innocent deception will render your residence +here more agreeable and advantageous. Once more I +repeat to you, Fleur-de-Marie, you may now at your own +pleasure realise the dream of our journey. As soon as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span> +you have assumed your village dress," said Rodolph, +smilingly, "we will take you to see that milk-white +heifer, Musette, who is to be your favourite henceforward, +and who is only waiting for the pretty collar you +designed to ornament her with; then we will go and +introduce ourselves to your pets, the pigeons, afterwards +visit the dairy, and so go on till we have been all over +the farm. I mean to keep my promise in every respect, +I assure you."</p> + +<p>Fleur-de-Marie pressed her hands together with +earnest gratitude. Surprise, joy, and the deepest +thankfulness, mingled with respect, lit up her beautiful +countenance, while, with eyes streaming with tears, +she exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"M. Rodolph, you are, you must be, one of those beneficent +angels sent by the Almighty to do good upon +earth, and to rescue poor fallen creatures, like myself, +from shame and misery."</p> + +<p>"My poor girl," replied Rodolph, with a smile of deep +sadness and ineffable kindness, "though still young, I +have already deeply suffered. I lost a dear child, who, +if living, would now be about your age. Let that explain +my deep sympathy with all who suffer, and for yourself +particularly, Fleur-de-Marie, or, rather, <i>Marie</i> only. +Now, go with Madame Georges, who will shew you the +pretty chamber, with its clustering roses and honeysuckle +to form your morning bouquets. Yes, Marie, +henceforward let that name, simple and sweet as yourself, +be your only appellation. Before my departure we +will have some talk together, and then I shall quit you, +most happy in the knowledge of your full contentment."</p> + +<p>Fleur-de-Marie, without one word of reply, gracefully +bent her knee, and, before Rodolph could prevent her, +gently and respectfully raised his hand to her lips; then +rising with an air of modest submission, followed Madame +Georges, who eyed her with a profound interest, out of +the room.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span></p> +<h3>CHAPTER XI.</h3> + +<h5>MURPHY AND RODOLPH.</h5> + + +<p>Upon quitting the house, Rodolph bent his steps +towards the farmyard, where he found the individual +who, the preceding evening, disguised as a charcoal-man, +had warned him of the arrival of Tom and Sarah. +Murphy, which was the name of this personage, was +about fifty years of age; his head, nearly bald, was still +ornamented with a fringe of light brown hair at each +side, which the hand of time had here and there slightly +tinged with gray; his face was broad, open, and ruddy, +and free from all appearance of hair, except very short +whiskers, of a reddish colour, only reaching as low as +the tip of the ear, from which it diverged, and stretched +itself in a gentle curve across his rubicund cheeks. +Spite of his years and <i>embonpoint</i>, Murphy was active +and athletic; his countenance, though somewhat phlegmatic, +was expressive of great resolution and kindliness +of nature; he wore a white neck-handkerchief, a deep +waistcoat, and a long black coat, with very wide skirts; +his breeches, of an olive green colour, corresponded in +material with the gaiters which protected his sturdy legs, +without reaching entirely to the knee, but allowing the +strings belonging to his upper garment to display themselves +in long unstudied bows; in fact, the dress and +whole <i>tournure</i> of Murphy exactly accorded with the +idea of what in England is styled a "gentleman farmer." +Now, the personage we are describing, though an English +squire, was no farmer. At the moment of Rodolph's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span> +appearance in the yard, Murphy was in the act of depositing, +in the pocket of a small travelling <i>caléche</i>, a pair +of small pistols he had just been carefully cleaning.</p> + +<p>"What the devil are you going to do with those +pistols?" inquired Rodolph.</p> + +<p>"That is my business, my lord," replied Murphy, +descending the carriage steps; "attend to your affairs, +and I will mind mine."</p> + +<p>"At what o'clock have you ordered the horses?"</p> + +<p>"According to your directions,—at nightfall."</p> + +<p>"You got here this morning, I suppose?"</p> + +<p>"I did, at eight o'clock. Madame Georges has had +ample time to make all the preparations you desired."</p> + +<p>"What has gone wrong, Murphy? You seem completely +out of humour. Have I done anything to offend +you?"</p> + +<p>"Can you not, my lord, accomplish your self-imposed +task without incurring so much personal risk?"</p> + +<p>"Surely, in order to lull all suspicion in the minds of +the persons I seek to understand and fully appreciate, +I cannot do better than, for a time, to adopt their garb, +their language, and their customs."</p> + +<p>"But all this did not prevent you, my lord, last night +(in that abominable place where we went to unkennel +Bras Rouge, in hopes of getting out of him some particulars +relative to that unhappy son of Madame Georges), +from being angry, and ready to quarrel with me, because +I wished to aid in your tussle with the rascal you +encountered in that horrid cut-throat alley."</p> + +<p>"I suppose, then, Murphy, you do not think I am +capable of defending myself, and you either doubt my +courage or the strength of my arm?"</p> + +<p>"Unfortunately, you have given me too many reasons +to form a contrary opinion of both. Thank God! Flatman, +the Bertrand of Germany, perfected you in the +knowledge of fencing; Tom Cribb taught you to box; +Lacour, of Paris, accomplished you in single-stick, wrestling,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span> +and slang, so as to render you fully provided for +your venturesome excursions. You are bold as a lion, +with muscles like iron, and, though so slight in form, I +should have no more chance with you than a dray-horse +would against a racer, were they to compete with each +other. No mistake about that."</p> + +<p>"Then what are you afraid of?"</p> + +<p>"Why, I maintain, my lord, that it is not the right +thing for you to throw yourself in the way of all these +blackguards. I do not say that because of the nuisance +it is to a highly respectable individual of my acquaintance +to blacken his face with charcoal, and make himself +look like a devil. No, God knows, spite of my age, my +figure, and my gravity, I would disguise myself as a +rope-dancer, if, by so doing, I could serve you. But +I still stick to what I say, and—"</p> + +<p>"Oh! I know all you would say, my excellent old +fellow, and that when once you have taken an idea into +your thick skull, the very devil himself could no more +drive it out of you than he could, by all his arts, remove +the fidelity and devotion implanted in your brave and +valiant heart."</p> + +<p>"Come, come, my lord, now you begin to flatter me, +I suspect you are up to some fresh mischief."</p> + +<p>"Think no such thing, Murphy; give yourself no +uneasiness, but leave all to me."</p> + +<p>"My lord, I cannot be easy; there is some new folly +in hand, and I am sure of it."</p> + +<p>"My good friend, you mean well; but you are +choosing a very ill hour for your lectures; forbear, I +beg."</p> + +<p>"And why, my lord, can you not listen to me now, +as well as any other time?"</p> + +<p>"Because you are interfering with one of my short-lived +moments of pride and happiness. I am here, in +this dear spot!"</p> + +<p>"Where you have done so much good. I know it.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span> +Your 'model farm,' as you term it, built by you to +instruct, to encourage, and to reward deserving labourers, +has been of incalculable service to this part of the +country. Ordinary men think but of improving their +cattle; you, more wisely and benevolently, have directed +your exertions for the bettering your fellow creatures. +Nothing can be better; and when you placed Madame +Georges at the head of the establishment, you acted with +the utmost wisdom and provident good sense. What +a woman she is! No, she is an angel!—so good, so +firm, so noble, and upright! I am not easily moved, +my lord, as you know; but often have I felt my eyes +grow moist, as her many trials and misfortunes rise to +my recollection. But about your new protégée, however, +my lord; if you please, we will not say much on that +subject. 'The least said is soonest mended,' as the old +proverb has it."</p> + +<p>"Why not, Murphy?"</p> + +<p>"My lord, you will do what you think proper."</p> + +<p>"I do what is just," said Rodolph, with an air of +impatience.</p> + +<p>"What is just, according to your own interpretation."</p> + +<p>"What is just before God and my own conscience," +replied Rodolph, in a severe tone.</p> + +<p>"Well, my lord, this is a point on which we cannot +agree, and therefore let us speak no more about it."</p> + +<p>"I desire you will continue to talk about it!" cried +Rodolph, imperiously.</p> + +<p>"I have never been so circumstanced that your royal +highness should have to bid me hold my tongue, and I +hope I shall not now be ordered to speak when I should +be silent," said Murphy, proudly.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Murphy!" said Rodolph, with a tone of increased +irritation.</p> + +<p>"My lord!"</p> + +<p>"You know, sir, how greatly I detest anything like +concealment."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Your royal highness will excuse me, but it suits me +to have certain concealments," said Murphy, bluntly.</p> + +<p>"If I descend to familiarity with you, sir, it is on +condition that you, at least, act with entire frankness +towards me."</p> + +<p>It is impossible to describe the extreme hauteur which +marked the countenance of Rodolph as he uttered these +words.</p> + +<p>"I am fifty years of age, I am a gentleman, and your +royal highness should not address me in such a tone."</p> + +<p>"Be silent!"</p> + +<p>"My lord!"</p> + +<p>"Be silent! I say."</p> + +<p>"Your royal highness does wrong in compelling a +man of honour and feeling to recall the services he has +rendered to you," said the squire, in a calm tone.</p> + +<p>"Have I not repaid those services in a thousand +ways?"</p> + +<p>It should be stated that Rodolph had not attached to +these bitter words the humiliating sense which could +place Murphy in the light of a mercenary; but such, +unfortunately, was the esquire's interpretation of them. +He became purple with shame, lifted his two clenched +hands to his forehead with an expression of deep grief +and indignation, and then, in a moment, as by a sudden +revulsion of feeling, throwing his eyes on Rodolph, whose +noble countenance was convulsed by the violence of +extreme disdain, he said, in a faltering voice, and stifling +a sigh of the tenderest pity, "My lord, be yourself; you +surpass the bounds of reason."</p> + +<p>These words impelled Rodolph to the very height of +irritation; his glance had even a savage glare in it; his +lips were blanched; and, advancing towards Murphy +with a threatening aspect, he exclaimed, "Dare you?"</p> + +<p>Murphy retreated, and said, in a quick tone, and as if +in spite of himself, "My lord, my lord, <i>remember the +thirteenth of January!</i>"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span></p> + +<p>These words produced a magical effect on Rodolph. +His countenance, contracted by anger, now expanded. +He looked at Murphy steadfastly, bowed his head, and +then, after a moment's silence, murmured, in faltering +accents, "Ah, sir, you are now cruel, indeed. I had +thought that my repentance—my deep remorse—and +yet it is you—you—"</p> + +<p>Rodolph could not finish; his voice was stifled; he +sunk, subdued, on a stone bench, and concealed his +countenance with both his hands.</p> + +<p>"My lord," said Murphy, in deep distress, "my good +lord, forgive me! Forgive your old and faithful Murphy. +It was only when driven to an extremity, and +fearing, alas! not for myself, but for you, the consequences +of your passion, that I uttered those words. I +said them in spite of myself, and with sorrow. My lord, +I was wrong to be so sensitive. <i>Mon Dieu!</i> who can +know your character, your feelings, if I do not,—I, who +have never left you from your childhood! Pray, oh, +pray say that you forgive me for having called to your +recollection that sad, sad day. Alas! what expiations +have you not made—"</p> + +<p>Rodolph raised his head; he was very pale, and +said to his companion, in a gentle and saddened voice, +"Enough, enough, my old friend; I thank you for +having, by one word, checked my headlong passion. I +make no apologies to you for the severe things I have +said; you know well that 'it is a long way from the +heart to the lips,' as the good people at home say. I +was wrong; let us say no more on the subject."</p> + +<p>"Alas! now we shall be out of spirits for a long +time, as if I were not sufficiently unhappy! I only wished +to see you roused from your low spirits, and yet I add +to them by my foolish tenaciousness. Good Heaven! +what's the use of being an honest man, and having gray +hairs, if it does not enable us to endure reproaches +which we do not deserve?"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Be it so, be it so; we were both in the wrong, my +good friend," said Rodolph, mildly; "let us forget it, +and return to our former conversation. You approved +entirely of my establishment of this farm, and the deep +interest I have always felt in Madame Georges. You +will allow, won't you, that she had merited it by her +excellent qualities, her misfortunes, even if she did not +belong to the family of Harville,—a family to which +my father had vowed eternal gratitude."</p> + +<p>"I have always approved of the sentiments which +your lordship has entertained for Madame Georges."</p> + +<p>"But you are astonished at the interest I take in this +poor girl, are you not?"</p> + +<p>"Pray, pray, my lord, I was wrong; I was wrong."</p> + +<p>"No, I can imagine that appearances have deceived +you; but, as you know my life—all my life, and as you +aid me always with as much fidelity as courage in my +self-inflicted expiation, it is my duty, or, if you like the +phrase better, my gratitude, to convince you that I am +not acting from a frivolous impulse."</p> + +<p>"Of that I am sure, my lord."</p> + +<p>"You know my ideas on the subject of the good +which a man ought to do who has the knowledge, the +will, and the power. To succour unhappy, but deserving, +fellow creatures is well; to seek after those who +are struggling against misfortune with energy and +honour, and to aid them, sometimes without their +knowledge,—to prevent, in right time, misery and +temptation, is better; to reinstate such perfectly in their +own estimation,—-to lead back to honesty those who have +preserved in purity some generous and ennobling sentiments +in the midst of the contempt that withers them, +the misery that eats into them, the corruption that encircles +them, and, for that end, to brave, in person, this +misery, this corruption, this contagion, is better still; to +pursue, with unalterable hatred, with implacable vengeance, +vice, infamy, and crime, whether they be trampling<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span> +in the mud, or be clothed in purple and fine linen, +that is justice; but to give aid inconsiderately to well-merited +degradation, to prostitute and lavish charity +and commiseration, by bestowing help on unworthy and +undeserving objects, is most infamous; it is impiety,—very +sacrilege! it is to doubt the existence of the Almighty; +and so, he who acts thus ought to be made to +understand."</p> + +<p>"My lord, I pray you do not think that I would for +a moment assert that you have bestowed your benefits +unworthily."</p> + +<p>"One word more, my old friend. You know well +that the child whose death I daily deplore—that that +daughter whom I should have loved the more, as her +unworthy mother, Sarah, had shown herself so utterly +indifferent about her—would have been sixteen years +of age, like this unhappy girl. You know, too, that I +cannot prevent the deep, and almost painful, sympathy +I feel for young girls of that age."</p> + +<p>"True, my lord; and I ought so to have interpreted +the interest you evince for your protégée. Besides, to +succour the unfortunate is to honour God."</p> + +<p>"It is, my friend, when the objects deserve it; and +thus nothing is more worthy of compassion and respect +than a woman like Madame Georges, who, brought up +by a pious and good mother in the strict observance of +all her duties, has never failed,—never! and has, moreover, +courageously borne herself in the midst of the +most severe trials. But is it not to honour God in the +most acceptable way, to raise from the dust one of those +beings of the finest mould, whom he has been pleased +to endow richly? Does not she deserve compassion and +respect,—yes, respect,—who, unhappy girl! abandoned +to her own instinct,—who, tortured, imprisoned, degraded, +sullied, has yet preserved, in holiness and pureness +of heart, those noble germs of good first implanted +by the Almighty? If you had but seen, poor child!<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span> +how, at the first word of interest expressed for her,—the +first mark of kindness and right feeling,—the most +charming natural impulses, the purest tastes, the most +refined thoughts, the most poetic ideas, developed themselves +abundantly in her ingenuous mind, even as, in +the early spring, a thousand wild flowers lift up their +heads at the first rays of the sun! In a conversation of +about an hour with Fleur-de-Marie, I have discovered +treasures of goodness, worth, prudence,—yes, prudence, +old Murphy. A smile came to my lips, and a tear in +my eye, when, in her gentle and sensible prattle, she +urged on me the necessity of saving forty sous a day, +that I might be beyond want or evil temptations. Poor +little creature! she said all this with so serious and persuasive +a tone. She seemed so delighted to give me +good advice, and experienced so extreme a pleasure in +hearing me promise to follow it! I was moved even to +tears; and you,—it affects you, my old friend."</p> + +<p>"It does, my lord; the idea of making you lay by +forty sous a day, thinking you a workman, instead of +urging you to spend money on her; that does touch +me."</p> + +<p>"Hush; here are Madame Georges and Marie. Get all +ready for our departure; we must be in Paris in good +time."</p> + +<p>Thanks to the care of Madame Georges, Fleur-de-Marie +was no longer like her former self. A pretty +peasant's cap, and two thick braids of light brown hair, +encircled her charming face. A large handkerchief of +white muslin crossed her bosom, and disappeared under +the high fold of a small shot taffetas apron, whose blue +and red shades appeared to advantage over a dark nun's +dress, which seemed expressly made for her. The young +girl's countenance was calm and composed. Certain +feelings of delight produce in the mind an unspeakable +sadness,—a holy melancholy. Rodolph was not surprised +at the gravity of Fleur-de-Marie; he had expected<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span> +it. Had she been merry and talkative, she would not +have retained so high a place in his good opinion. In +the serious and resigned countenance of Madame Georges +might easily be traced the indelible marks of long-suffering; +but she looked at Fleur-de-Marie with a tenderness +and compassion quite maternal, so much gentleness +and sweetness did this poor girl evince.</p> + +<p>"Here is my child, who has come to thank you for +your goodness, M. Rodolph," said Madame Georges, presenting +Goualeuse to Rodolph.</p> + +<p>At the words, "my child," Goualeuse turned her large +eyes slowly towards her protectress, and contemplated +her for some moments with a look of unutterable +gratitude.</p> + +<p>"Thanks for Marie, my dear Madame Georges; she +deserves this kind interest, and always will deserve it."</p> + +<p>"M. Rodolph," said Goualeuse, with a trembling voice, +"you understand, I know, I feel that you do, that I +cannot find anything to say to you."</p> + +<p>"Your emotion tells me all, my child."</p> + +<p>"Oh, she feels deeply the good fortune that has come +to her so providentially," said Madame Georges, deeply +affected; "her first impulse on entering my room was to +prostrate herself before my crucifix."</p> + +<p>"Because now, thanks to you, M. Rodolph, I dare to +pray," said Goualeuse.</p> + +<p>Murphy turned away hastily; his pretensions to firmness +would not allow of any one seeing to what extent the +simple words of Goualeuse had touched him.</p> + +<p>Rodolph said to her, "My child, I wish to have some +conversation with Madame Georges. My friend Murphy +will lead you over the farm, and introduce you to your +future protégés. We will join you presently. Well, +Murphy, Murphy, don't you hear me?"</p> + +<p>The worthy gentleman turned his back, and pretended +to blow his nose with a very loud noise, then put his +handkerchief in his pocket, pulled his hat over his eyes,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span> +and, turning half around, offered his arm to Marie, +managing so skilfully that neither Rodolph nor Madame +Georges could see his face. Taking the arm of Marie, +he walked away with her towards the farm buildings, +and so quickly, that, to keep up with him, Goualeuse +was obliged to run, as in her infant days she ran beside +the Chouette.</p> + +<p>"Well, Madame Georges, what do you think of +Marie?" inquired Rodolph.</p> + +<p>"M. Rodolph, I have told you: she had scarcely +entered my room, when, seeing the crucifix, she fell +on her knees before it. It is impossible for me to tell +you, to describe the spontaneous and naturally religious +feeling that evidently dictated this. I saw in an instant +that hers was no degraded soul. And then, M. Rodolph, +the expression of her gratitude to you had nothing +exaggerated in it; but it is not the less sincere. And +I have another proof of how natural and potent is this +religious instinct in her. I said to her, 'You must have +been much astonished, and very happy, when M. Rodolph +told you that you were to remain here for the future? +What an effect it must have had on you!' 'Yes, oh, +yes,' was her reply; 'when M. Rodolph told me so, I +cannot describe what passed within me; but I felt that +kind of holy happiness which I experience in going into +a church. When I could go there,' she added, 'for you +know, madame—' 'I know, my child, for I shall +always call you my child (I could not let her go on +when I saw her cover her face for shame), I know that +you have suffered deeply; but God blesses those who +love and fear him, those who have been unhappy, and +those who repent.'"</p> + +<p>"Then, my good Madame Georges, I am doubly happy +at what I have done. This poor girl will greatly interest +you, her disposition is so excellent, her instincts so right."</p> + +<p>"What has besides affected me, M. Rodolph, is that +she has not allowed one single question to escape her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span> +about you, although her curiosity must be so much +excited. Struck with a reserve so full of delicacy, I +wished to know what she felt. I said to her, 'You must +be very curious to know who your mysterious benefactor +is?' 'Know him!' she replied, with delightful simplicity; +'he is my benefactor.'"</p> + +<p>"Then you will love her. Excellent woman! she will +find some interest in your heart."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I shall occupy my heart with her as I should +with <i>him</i>," said Madame Georges, in a broken voice.</p> + +<p>Rodolph took her hand.</p> + +<p>"Do not be discouraged; come, come, if our search +has been unsuccessful so far, yet one day, perhaps—"</p> + +<p>Madame Georges shook her head sorrowfully, and +said, in bitter accents, "My poor son would be now +twenty years old!"</p> + +<p>"Say he is that age—"</p> + +<p>"God hear you, and grant it, M. Rodolph."</p> + +<p>"He will hear, I fully believe. Yesterday I went +(but in vain) to find a certain fellow called Bras Rouge +who might, perhaps, have given me some information +about your son. Coming away from this Bras Rouge's +abode, after a struggle in which I was engaged, I met +with this unfortunate girl—"</p> + +<p>"Alas! but your kind endeavour in my behalf has +thrown in your way another unfortunate being, M. +Rodolph."</p> + +<p>"You have no intelligence from Rochefort?"</p> + +<p>"None," said Madame Georges, shuddering, and in a +low voice.</p> + +<p>"So much the better! We can no longer doubt but +that the monster met his death in the attempt to escape +from the—"</p> + +<p>Rodolph hesitated to pronounce the horrible word.</p> + +<p>"From the Bagne? Oh, say it!—the Bagne!" exclaimed +the wretched woman with horror, and almost +frantic as she spoke. "The father of my child! Ah!<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span> +if the unhappy boy still lives—if, like me, he has not +changed his name—oh, shame! shame! And yet it +may be nothing: his father has, perhaps, carried out +his horrid threat! What has he done with my boy? +Why did he tear him from me?"</p> + +<p>"That mystery I cannot fathom," said Rodolph, with +a pensive air. "What could induce the wretch to carry +off your son fifteen years ago, and when he was trying +to escape into a foreign land? A child of that age could +only embarrass his flight."</p> + +<p>"Alas, M. Rodolph! when my husband" (the poor +woman shuddered as she pronounced the word) "was +arrested on the frontier and thrown into prison, where I +was allowed to visit him, he said to me these horrible +words: 'I took away the brat because you were fond of +him, and it will be a means of compelling you to send +me money, which may or may not be of service to him,—that's +my affair. Whether he lives or dies it is no +matter to you; but if he lives, he will be in good hands: +you shall drink as deep of the shame of the son as you +have of the disgrace of the father!' Alas! a month afterwards +my husband was condemned to the galleys for +life; and since then all my entreaties, my prayers, and +letters have been in vain. I have never been able to +learn the fate of my boy. Ah, M. Rodolph! where is +my child at this moment? These frightful words are +always ringing in my ears: 'You shall drink as deep of +the shame of the son as you have of the disgrace of the +father!'"</p> + +<p>"This atrocity is most inexplicable; why should he +demoralise the unhappy child? Why carry him off?"</p> + +<p>"I have told you, M. Rodolph,—to compel me to send +him money; although he had nearly ruined me, yet I had +still some small resources, but they at length were exhausted +also. In spite of his wickedness, I could not +believe but that he would employ, at least, a portion of +this money in the bringing-up of this unhappy child."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span></p> + +<p>"And your son had no sign, no mark, by which he +could be recognised?"</p> + +<p>"No other than that of which I have spoken to you, +M. Rodolph,—a small Saint Esprit, sculptured in lapis +lazuli, tied round his neck by a chain of silver: a sacred +relic, blessed by the holy father."</p> + +<p>"Courage, courage; God is all-powerful."</p> + +<p>"Providence placed me in your path, M. Rodolph."</p> + +<p>"Too late, Madame Georges; too late. I might have +saved you many years of sorrow."</p> + +<p>"Ah, M. Rodolph, how kind you have been to me!"</p> + +<p>"In what way? I bought this farm; in time of your +prosperity you were not idle, and now you have become +my manager here, where—thanks to your excellent +superintendence, intelligence, and activity—this establishment +produces me—"</p> + +<p>"Produces you, my lord?" said Madame Georges, interrupting +Rodolph; "why, all the returns are employed, +not only in ameliorating the condition of the labourers, +who consider the occupation on this model farm as a +great favour, but, moreover, to succour all the needy in +the district; through the mediation of our good Abbé +Laporte—"</p> + +<p>"Ah, the dear abbé!" said Rodolph, desirous of escaping +the praise of Madame Georges; "have you had +the kindness to inform him of my arrival? I wish to +recommend my protégée to him. He has had my +letter?"</p> + +<p>"Mr. Murphy gave it to him when he came this morning."</p> + +<p>"In that letter I told our good curé, in a few words, +the history of this poor girl. I was not sure that I +should be able to come to-day myself, and if not, then +Murphy would have conducted Marie—"</p> + +<p>A labourer of the farm interrupted this conversation, +which had been carried on in the garden.</p> + +<p>"Madame, M. le Curé is waiting for you."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Are the post-horses arrived, my lad?" inquired +Rodolph.</p> + +<p>"Yes, M. Rodolph; and they are putting to." And +the man left the garden.</p> + +<p>Madame Georges, the curé, and the inhabitants of the +farm only knew Fleur-de-Marie's protector as M. Rodolph. +Murphy's discretion was faultless; and although when +in private he was very precise in "my-lording" Rodolph, +yet before strangers he was very careful not to address +him otherwise than as <i>M. Rodolph</i>.</p> + +<p>"I forgot to mention, my dear Madame Georges," +said Rodolph, when he returned to the house, "that +Marie has, I fear, very weak lungs,—privations and +misery have tried her health. This morning early I was +struck with the pallor of her countenance, although her +cheeks were of a deep rose colour; her eyes, too, seem to +me to have a brilliancy which betokens a feverish system. +Great care must be taken of her."</p> + +<p>"Rely on me, M. Rodolph; but, thank God! there is +nothing serious to apprehend. At her age, in the country, +with pure air, rest, and quiet, she will soon be quite +restored."</p> + +<p>"I hope so; but I will not trust to your country doctors. +I will desire Murphy to bring here my medical +man,—a negro,—a very skilful person, who will tell you +the best regimen to pursue. You must send me news of +Marie very often. Some time hence, when she shall be +better, and more at ease, we will talk about her future +life; perhaps it would be best that she always remained +with you, if you were pleased with her."</p> + +<p>"I should like it greatly, M. Rodolph; she would supply +the place of the child I have lost, and must for ever +bewail."</p> + +<p>"Let us still hope for you and for her."</p> + +<p>At the moment when Rodolph and Madame Georges +approached the farm, Murphy and Marie also entered. +The worthy gentleman let go the arm of Goualeuse, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span> +said to Rodolph in a low voice, and with an air of some +confusion:</p> + +<p>"This girl has bewitched me; I really do not know +which interests me most, she or Madame Georges. I was +a brute—a beast!"</p> + +<p>"I knew, old Murphy, that you would do justice to +my protégée," said Rodolph, smiling, and shaking hands +with the squire.</p> + +<p>Madame Georges, leaning on Marie's arm, entered +with her into a small room on the ground floor, where +the Abbé Laporte was waiting. Murphy went away, to +see all ready for their departure. Madame Georges, +Marie, Rodolph, and the curé remained together.</p> + +<p>Plain, but very comfortable, this small apartment was +fitted up with green hangings, like the rest of the house, +as had been exactly described to Goualeuse by Rodolph. +A thick carpet covered the floor, a good fire burnt in the +grate, and two large nosegays of daisies of all colours, +placed in two crystal vases, shed their agreeable odour +throughout the room. Through the windows, with their +green blinds, which were half opened, was to be seen the +meadow, the little stream, and, beyond it, the bank +planted with chestnut-trees.</p> + +<p>The Abbé Laporte, who was seated near the fireplace, +was upwards of eighty years of age, and had, ever since +the last days of the Revolution, done duty in this small +parish. Nothing can be imagined more venerable than +his aged, withered, and somewhat melancholy countenance, +shaded by long white locks, which fell on the +collar of his black cassock, which was pieced in more +places than one; the abbé liked better, as they said, to +clothe one or two poor children in good warm broadcloth, +than <i>faire le muguet</i>; that is, to wear his cassocks less +than two or three years. The good abbé was so old, so +very old, that his hands trembled continually, and when +he occasionally lifted them up, when speaking, it might +have been supposed that he was giving a benediction.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span></p> + +<p>"M. l'Abbé," said Rodolph, respectfully, "Madame +Georges has undertaken the guardianship of this young +girl, for whom I also beg your kindness."</p> + +<p>"She is entitled to it, sir, like all who come to us. +The mercy of God is inexhaustible, my dear child, and +he has evinced it in not abandoning you in most severe +trials. I know all." And he took the hand of Marie in his +own withered and trembling palms. "The generous man +who has saved you has realised the words of Holy Writ, +'The Lord is near to all those who call upon him; he +will fulfil the desire of those who fear him; he will hear +their cries, and he will save them.' Now deserve his +bounty by your conduct, and you will always find one +ready to encourage and sustain you in the good path on +which you have entered. You will have in Madame +Georges a constant example, in me a careful adviser. +The Lord will finish his work."</p> + +<p>"And I will pray to him for those who have had +compassion on me and have led me to him, father," said +La Goualeuse, throwing herself on her knees before the +priest. Her emotion overcame her; her sobs almost +choked her. Madame Georges, Rodolph, and the abbé +were all deeply affected.</p> + +<p>"Rise, my dear child," said the curé; "you will soon +deserve absolution from those serious faults of which +you have rather been the victim than the criminal; for, +in the words of the prophet, 'The Lord raises up all +those who are ready to fall, and elevates those who are +oppressed.'"</p> + +<p>Murphy, at this moment, opened the door.</p> + +<p>"M. Rodolph," he said, "the horses are ready."</p> + +<p>"Adieu, father! adieu, Madame Georges! I commend +your child to your care,—our child, I should say. +Farewell, Marie; I will soon come and see you again."</p> + +<p>The venerable pastor, leaning on the arms of Madame +Georges and La Goualeuse, who supported his tottering +steps, left the room to see Rodolph depart.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span></p> + +<p>The last rays of the sun shed their light on this +interesting yet sad group:</p> + +<p>An old priest, the symbol of charity, pardon, and +everlasting hope; a female, overwhelmed by every grief +that can distress a wife and mother; a young girl, +hardly out of her infancy, and but recently thrown into +an abyss of vice through misery and the close contact +with crime.</p> + +<p>Rodolph got into the carriage, Murphy took his place +by his side, and the horses set off at speed.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span></p> +<h3>CHAPTER XII.</h3> + +<h5>THE RENDEZVOUS.</h5> + + +<p>The day after he had confided the Goualeuse to the +care of Madame Georges, Rodolph, still dressed as a +mechanic, was, at noon precisely, at the door of a cabaret +with the sign of the Panier-Fleuri, not far from the +barrier of Bercy.</p> + +<p>The evening before, at ten o'clock, the Chourineur +was punctual to the appointment which Rodolph had +fixed with him. The result of this narrative will inform +our readers of the particulars of the meeting. It +was twelve o'clock, and the rain fell in torrents; the +Seine, swollen by perpetual falls of rain, had risen very +high, and overflowed a part of the quay. Rodolph +looked from time to time, with a gesture of impatience, +towards the barrier, and at last observed a man and +woman, who were coming towards him under the shelter +of an umbrella, and whom he recognised as the Chouette +and the Schoolmaster.</p> + +<p>These two individuals were completely metamorphosed. +The ruffian had laid aside his ragged garments +and his air of brutal ferocity. He wore a long frock +coat of green cloth, and a round hat; whilst his shirt +and cravat were remarkable for their whiteness. But +for the hideousness of his features and the fierce glance +of his eyes, always restless and suspicious, this fellow +might have been taken, by his quiet and steady step, +for an honest citizen.</p> + +<p>The Chouette was also in her Sunday costume, wearing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span> +a large shawl of fine wool, with a large pattern, and +held in her hand a capacious basket.</p> + +<p>The rain having ceased for the moment, Rodolph, +overcoming a sensation of disgust, went to meet the +frightful pair. For the slang of the <i>tapis-franc</i> the +Schoolmaster now substituted a style almost polished, +and which betokened a cultivated mind, in strange contrast +with his real character and crimes. When Rodolph +approached, the brigand made him a polite bow, and the +Chouette curtseyed respectfully.</p> + +<p>"Sir, your humble servant," said the Schoolmaster. +"I am delighted to pay my respects to you—delighted—or, +rather, to renew our acquaintance; for the night +before last you paid me two blows of the fist which were +enough to have felled a rhinoceros. But not a word of +that now; it was a joke on your part, I am sure,—merely +done in jest. Let us not say another word about +it, for serious business brings us now together. I saw +the Chourineur yesterday, about eleven o'clock, at the +<i>tapis-franc</i>, and appointed to meet him here to-day, in +case he chose to join us,—to be our fellow labourer; +but it seems that he most decidedly refuses."</p> + +<p>"You, then, accept the proposal?"</p> + +<p>"Your name, sir, if you be so good?"</p> + +<p>"Rodolph."</p> + +<p>"M. Rodolph, we will go into the Panier-Fleuri,—neither +myself nor madame has breakfasted,—and we will +talk over our little matters whilst we are taking a crust."</p> + +<p>"Most willingly."</p> + +<p>"We can talk as we go on. You and the Chourineur +certainly do owe some satisfaction to my wife and myself,—you +have caused us to lose more than two thousand +francs. Chouette had a meeting near St. Ouen with +the tall gentleman in mourning, who came to ask for you +at the <i>tapis-franc</i>. He offered us two thousand francs +to do something to you. The Chourineur has told me +all about this. But, Finette," said the fellow, "go and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span> +select a room at the Panier-Fleuri, and order breakfast,—some +cutlets, a piece of veal, a salad, and a couple of +bottles of vin de beaune, the best quality,—and we +will join you there."</p> + +<p>The Chouette, who had not taken her eye off Rodolph +for a moment, went off after exchanging looks with the +Schoolmaster, who then said:</p> + +<p>"I say, M. Rodolph, that the Chourineur has edified +me on the subject of the two thousand francs."</p> + +<p>"What do you mean by edified you?"</p> + +<p>"You are right,—the language is a little too refined +for you. I would say that the Chourineur nearly told +me all that the tall gentleman in mourning, with his two +thousand francs, required."</p> + +<p>"Good."</p> + +<p>"Not so good, young man; for the Chourineur, having +yesterday morning met the Chouette, near St. Ouen, +did not leave her for one moment, when the tall gentleman +in mourning came up, so that he could not approach +and converse with her. You, then, ought to put us in +the way of regaining our two thousand francs."</p> + +<p>"Nothing easier; but let us 'hark back.' I had proposed +a glorious job to the Chourineur, which he at first +accepted, but afterwards refused to go on with."</p> + +<p>"He always had very peculiar ideas."</p> + +<p>"But whilst he refused he observed to me—"</p> + +<p>"He made you observe—"</p> + +<p>"Oh, <i>diable!</i> You are very grand with your grammar."</p> + +<p>"It is my profession, as a schoolmaster."</p> + +<p>"He made me, then, observe, that if he would not go +on this 'lay,' he did not desire to discourage any other +person, and that you would willingly lend a hand in the +affair."</p> + +<p>"May I, without impertinence, ask why you appointed +a meeting with the Chourineur at St. Ouen yesterday, +which gave him the advantage of meeting the Chouette?<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span> +He was too much puzzled at my question to give me a +clear answer."</p> + +<p>Rodolph bit his lips imperceptibly, and replied, shrugging +his shoulders:</p> + +<p>"Very likely; for I only told him half my plan, you +must know, not knowing if he had made up his mind."</p> + +<p>"That was very proper."</p> + +<p>"The more so as I had two strings to my bow."</p> + +<p>"You are a careful man. You met the Chourineur, +then, at St. Ouen, for—"</p> + +<p>Rodolph, after a moment's hesitation, had the good +luck to think of a story which would account for the +want of address which the Chourineur had displayed, +and said:</p> + +<p>"Why, this it is. The attempt I propose is a famous +one, because the person in question is in the country; +all my fear was that he should return to Paris. To +make sure, I went to Pierrefitte, where his country-house +is situated, and there I learned that he would not +be back again until the day after to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"Well, but to return to my question; why did you +appoint to meet the Chourineur at St. Ouen?"</p> + +<p>"Why, you are not so bright as I took you for. How +far is it from Pierrefitte to St. Ouen?"</p> + +<p>"About a league."</p> + +<p>"And from St. Ouen to Paris?"</p> + +<p>"As much."</p> + +<p>"Well, if I had not found any one at Pierrefitte,—that +is, if there had been an empty house there,—why, +there also would have been a good job; not so good as +in Paris, but still well worth having. I went back to +the Chourineur, who was waiting for me at St. Ouen. +We should have returned then to Pierrefitte, by a cross-path +which I know, and—"</p> + +<p>"I understand. If, on the contrary, the job was to be +done in Paris?"</p> + +<p>"We should have gained the Barrier de l'Étoile by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span> +the road of the Rivolte, and thence to the Allée des +Veuves—"</p> + +<p>"Is but a step; that is plain enough. At St. Ouen +you were well placed for either operation,—that was +clear; and now I can understand why the Chourineur +was at St. Ouen. So the house in the Allée des Veuves +will be uninhabited until the day after to-morrow?"</p> + +<p>"Uninhabited, except the porter."</p> + +<p>"I see. And is it a profitable job?"</p> + +<p>"Sixty thousand francs in gold in the proprietor's +cabinet."</p> + +<p>"And you know all the ways?"</p> + +<p>"Perfectly."</p> + +<p>"Silence, here we are; not a word before the vulgar. +I do not know if you feel as I do, but the morning air +has given me an appetite."</p> + +<p>The Chouette was awaiting them at the door.</p> + +<p>"This way; this way," she said. "I have ordered +our breakfast."</p> + +<p>Rodolph wished the brigand to pass in first, for certain +reasons; but the Schoolmaster insisted on showing so +much politeness, that Rodolph entered before him. Before +he sat down, the Schoolmaster tapped lightly against +each of the divisions of the wainscot, that he might +ascertain their thickness and power of transmitting +sounds.</p> + +<p>"We need not be afraid to speak out," said he; "the +division is not thin. We shall have our breakfast soon, +and shall not be disturbed in our conversation."</p> + +<p>A waiter brought in the breakfast, and before he shut +the door Rodolph saw the charcoal-man, Murphy, seated +with great composure at a table in a room close at +hand.</p> + +<p>The room in which the scene took place that we are +describing was long and narrow, lighted by one window, +which looked into the street, and was opposite to the +door. The Chouette turned her back to this window,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span> +whilst the Schoolmaster was at one side of the table, +and Rodolph on the other.</p> + +<p>When the servant left the room, the brigand got up, +took his plate, and seated himself beside Rodolph and +between him and the door.</p> + +<p>"We can talk better," he said, "and need not talk so +loud."</p> + +<p>"And then you can prevent me from going out," +replied Rodolph, calmly.</p> + +<p>The Schoolmaster gave a nod in the affirmative, and +then, half drawing out of the pocket of his frock coat a +stiletto, round and as thick as a goose's quill, with +a handle of wood which disappeared in the grasp of his +hairy fingers, said:</p> + +<p>"You see that?"</p> + +<p>"I do."</p> + +<p>"Advice to amateurs!" And bringing his shaggy +brows together, by a frown which made his wide and flat +forehead closely resemble a tiger's, he made a significant +gesture.</p> + +<p>"And you may believe me," added the Chouette, "I +have made the tool sharp."</p> + +<p>Rodolph, with perfect coolness, put his hand under +his blouse, and took out a double-barrelled pistol, which +he showed to the Schoolmaster, and then put into his +pocket.</p> + +<p>"All right; and now we understand each other; but +do not misunderstand me, I am only alluding to an impossibility. +If they try to arrest me, and you have laid +any trap for me, I will make 'cold meat' of you."</p> + +<p>And he gave a fierce look at Rodolph.</p> + +<p>"And I will spring upon him and help you, <i>fourline</i>," +cried the Chouette.</p> + +<p>Rodolph made no reply, but shrugged his shoulders, +and, pouring out a glass of wine, tossed it off. His coolness +deceived the Schoolmaster.</p> + +<p>"I only put you on your guard."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Well, then, put up your 'larding-pin' into your +pocket; you have no chicken to lard now. I am an old +cock, and know my game as well as most," said Rodolph. +"But, to our business."</p> + +<p>"Yes, let us talk of business; but do not speak against +my 'larding-pin;' it makes no noise, and does not disturb +anybody."</p> + +<p>"And does its work as should be; doesn't it, <i>fourline?</i>" +added the old beldam.</p> + +<p>"By the way," said Rodolph to the Chouette, "do +you really know the Goualeuse's parents?"</p> + +<p>"My man has in his pocket two letters about it, but +she shall never see them,—the little slut! I would +rather tear her eyes out with my own hands. Oh, when +I meet her again at the <i>tapis-franc</i>, won't I pay her +off—"</p> + +<p>"There, that'll do, Finette; we have other things to +talk of, and so leave off your gossip."</p> + +<p>"May we 'patter' before the 'mot?'" asked Rodolph.</p> + +<p>"Most decidedly! She's true as steel, and is worth +her weight in gold to watch for us, to get information +or impressions of keys, to conceal stolen goods or sell +them,—nothing comes amiss to her. She is a first-rate +manager. Good Finette!" added the robber, extending +his hand to the horrid hag. "You can have no idea of +the services she has done me. Take off your shawl, +Finette, or you'll be cold when you go out; put it on the +chair with your basket."</p> + +<p>The Chouette took off her shawl.</p> + +<p>In spite of his presence of mind, and the command +which he had over himself, Rodolph could not quite conceal +his surprise when he saw suspended by a ring of +silver, from a thick chain of metal which hung round +the old creature's neck, a small Saint Esprit in lapis +lazuli, precisely resembling that which the son of +Madame Georges had round his neck when he was +carried off.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span></p> + +<p>At this discovery, a sudden idea flashed across the +mind of Rodolph. According to the Chourineur's statement, +the Schoolmaster had escaped from the Bagne six +months ago, and had since defied all search after him +by disfiguring himself as he had now; and six months +ago the husband of Madame Georges had disappeared +from the Bagne. Rodolph surmised that, very possibly, +the Schoolmaster was the husband of that unhappy lady. +If this were so, he knew the fate of the son she lamented,—he +possessed, too, some papers relative to the birth of +the Goualeuse. Rodolph had, then, fresh motives for +persevering in his projects, and, fortunately, his absence +of mind was not observed by the Schoolmaster, who was +busy helping the Chouette.</p> + +<p>"<i>Morbleu!</i> What a pretty chain you have!" said +Rodolph to the one-eyed woman.</p> + +<p>"Pretty, and not dear," answered the old creature, +laughing. "It is only a sham till my man can afford to +give me a real one."</p> + +<p>"That will depend on this gentleman, Finette. If +our job comes off well, why then—"</p> + +<p>"It is astonishing how well it is imitated," continued +Rodolph. "And what is that little blue thing at the +end?"</p> + +<p>"It is a present from my man, which I shall wear +until he gives me a 'ticker.' Isn't it, <i>fourline?</i>"</p> + +<p>Rodolph's suspicions were thus half confirmed, and +he waited with anxiety for the reply of the Schoolmaster, +who said:</p> + +<p>"You must take care of that, notwithstanding the +'ticker,' Finette; it is a talisman, and brings good luck."</p> + +<p>"A talisman!" said Rodolph, in a careless tone; "do +you believe in talismans? And where the devil did you +pick it up? Give me the address of the shop."</p> + +<p>"They do not make them now; the shop is shut up. +As you see it, that bit of jewelry has a very great antiquity,—three +generations. I value it highly, for it is a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span> +family loom," added he, with a hideous grin; "and +that's why I gave it to Finette, that she might have good +fortune in the enterprises in which she so skilfully seconds +me. Only see her at work! only see her! If we +go into 'business' together, why—But let us now to +our affair in hand. You say that in the Allée des +Veuves—"</p> + +<p>"At No. 17 there is a house inhabited by a rich man, +whose name is—"</p> + +<p>"I will not be guilty of the indiscretion of asking his +name. You say there are sixty thousand francs in gold +in a cabinet?"</p> + +<p>"Sixty thousand francs in gold!" exclaimed the +Chouette.</p> + +<p>Rodolph nodded his head in the affirmative.</p> + +<p>"And you know this house, and the people in it?" +said the Schoolmaster.</p> + +<p>"Quite well."</p> + +<p>"Is the entry difficult?"</p> + +<p>"A wall seven feet high on the side of the Allée des +Veuves, a garden, windows down to the ground, and the +house has only the ground floor throughout."</p> + +<p>"And there is only the porter to guard this treasure?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"And what, young man, is your proposed plan of +proceeding?"</p> + +<p>"Simple enough: to climb over the wall, pick the +lock of the door, or force open a shutter or lock. What +do you think of it?"</p> + +<p>"I cannot answer you before I have examined it all +myself,—that is, by the aid of my wife; but, if all you +tell me is as you say, I think it would be the thing to +do it at once this evening."</p> + +<p>And the ruffian looked earnestly at Rodolph.</p> + +<p>"This evening!—impossible!" replied he.</p> + +<p>"Why, since the occupier does not return until the +day after to-morrow?"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yes, but I—I cannot this evening—"</p> + +<p>"Really? Well, and I—I cannot to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"Why not?"</p> + +<p>"For the reason that prevents you this evening," said +the robber, in a tone of mockery.</p> + +<p>After a moment's reflection, Rodolph replied:</p> + +<p>"Well, then, this evening be it. Where shall we +meet?"</p> + +<p>"We will not separate," said the Schoolmaster.</p> + +<p>"Why not?"</p> + +<p>"Why should we?"</p> + +<p>"What is the use of separating? The weather has +cleared up, and we will go and walk about, and give a +look at the Allée des Veuves; you will see how my +woman will work. When that is done, we will return +and play a hand at piquet, and have a bit of something +in a place in the Champs Elysées that I know, near +the river; and, as the Allée des Veuves is deserted +at an early hour, we will walk that way about ten +o'clock."</p> + +<p>"I will join you at nine o'clock."</p> + +<p>"Do you or do you not wish that we should do this +job together?"</p> + +<p>"I do wish it."</p> + +<p>"Well, then, we do not separate before evening, or +else—"</p> + +<p>"Or else?"</p> + +<p>"I shall think that you are making 'a plant' for +me, and that's the reason you wish to part company +now."</p> + +<p>"If I wished to set the 'traps' after you, what is to +prevent my doing so this evening?"</p> + +<p>"Why, everything. You did not expect that I +should propose the affair to you so soon, and if you do +not leave us you cannot put anybody up to it."</p> + +<p>"You mistrust me, then?"</p> + +<p>"Most extremely. But as what you propose may be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span> +quite true and honest, and the half of sixty thousand +francs is worth a risk, I am willing to try for it; but +this evening, or never; if never, I shall have my suspicions +of you confirmed, and one day or other I will take +care and let you dine off a dish of my cooking."</p> + +<p>"And I will return your compliment, rely on it."</p> + +<p>"Oh, this is all stuff and nonsense!" said the Chouette. +"I think with <i>fourline</i>, to-night or never."</p> + +<p>Rodolph was in a state of extreme anxiety; if he +allowed this opportunity to escape of laying hands on +the Schoolmaster, he might never again light on him. +The ruffian would ever afterwards be on his guard, or +if recognised, apprehended, and taken back to the +Bagne, would carry with him that secret which Rodolph +had so much interest in discovering. Confiding in his +address and courage, and trusting to chance, he said to +the Schoolmaster:</p> + +<p>"Agreed, then; and we will not part company before +evening."</p> + +<p>"Then I'm your man. It is now two o'clock; it is +some distance from here to the Allée des Veuves; it +is raining again in torrents; let us pay the reckoning and +take a coach."</p> + +<p>"If we have a coach, I should like first to smoke a +cigar."</p> + +<p>"Why not?" said the Schoolmaster. "Finette does +not mind the smell of tobacco."</p> + +<p>"Well, then, I'll go and fetch some cigars," said +Rodolph, rising.</p> + +<p>"Pray don't give yourself that trouble," said the +Schoolmaster, stopping him; "Finette will go."</p> + +<p>Rodolph resumed his seat. The Schoolmaster had +penetrated his design. The Chouette went out.</p> + +<p>"What a clever manager I have, haven't I?" said +the ruffian; "and so tractable, she would throw herself +into the fire for me."</p> + +<p>"Apropos of fire, it is not overwarm here," replied<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span> +Rodolph, placing both his hands under his blouse; and +then, continuing his conversation with the Schoolmaster, +he took out a lead-pencil and a morsel of paper, which +he had in his waistcoat pocket, without being detected, +and wrote some words hastily, taking care to make his +letters wide apart, so that they might be more legible; +for he wrote under his blouse, and without seeing what +he wrote.</p> + +<p>This note escaped the penetration of the Schoolmaster; +the next thing was to enable it to reach its +address.</p> + +<p>Rodolph rose and went listlessly towards the window, +and began to hum a tune between his teeth, accompanying +himself on the window glasses.</p> + +<p>The Schoolmaster came up to the window and said to +Rodolph:</p> + +<p>"What tune are you playing?"</p> + +<p>"I am playing '<i>Tu n'auras pas ma rose.</i>'"</p> + +<p>"And a very pretty tune it is. I should like to know +if it would have the effect of making any of the +passers-by turn round?"</p> + +<p>"I had no such intention."</p> + +<p>"You are wrong, young man; for you are playing the +tambourine on that pane of glass with all your might. +But I was thinking, the porter of this house in the +Allée des Veuves is perhaps a stout fellow; if he resists, +you have only your pistol, which is a noisy weapon, +whilst a tool like this (and he showed Rodolph the +handle of his poniard) makes no noise, and does not +disturb anybody."</p> + +<p>"Do you mean, then, to assassinate him?" exclaimed +Rodolph. "If you have any such intention, let us give +up the job altogether; I will have no hand in it,—so +don't rely on me—"</p> + +<p>"But if he wakes?"</p> + +<p>"We will take to our heels."</p> + +<p>"Well, just as you like; only it is better to come to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span> +a clear understanding beforehand. So, then, ours is +simply a mere robbery with forcible entry—"</p> + +<p>"Nothing more."</p> + +<p>"That's very silly and contemptible; but so be it."</p> + +<p>"And as I will not leave you for a second," thought +Rodolph, "I will prevent you from shedding blood."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span></p> +<h3>CHAPTER XIII.</h3> + +<h5>PREPARATIONS.</h5> + + +<p>The Chouette returned to the room, bringing the +cigars with her.</p> + +<p>"I don't think it rains now," said Rodolph, lighting +his cigar. "Suppose we go and fetch the coach ourselves,—it +will stretch our legs."</p> + +<p>"What! not rain!" replied the Schoolmaster; "are +you blind? Do you think I will expose Finette to the +chance of catching cold, and exposing her precious life, +and spoiling her new shawl?"</p> + +<p>"You are right, old fellow; it rains cats and dogs. +Let the servant come and we can pay him, and desire +him to fetch us a coach," replied Rodolph.</p> + +<p>"That's the most sensible thing you have said yet, +young fellow; we may go and look about as we seek the +Allée des Veuves."</p> + +<p>The servant entered, and Rodolph gave her five francs.</p> + +<p>"Ah, sir, it is really an imposition,—I cannot allow +it," exclaimed the Schoolmaster.</p> + +<p>"Oh, all right; your turn next time."</p> + +<p>"Be it so, but on condition that I shall offer you something, +by and by, in a little cabaret in the Champs +Elysées,—a capital little snuggery that I know of."</p> + +<p>"Just as you like."</p> + +<p>The servant paid, and they left the room.</p> + +<p>Rodolph wished to go last, out of politeness to the +Chouette, but the Schoolmaster would not allow it, and +followed close on his heels, watching his every movement.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span></p> + +<p>The master of the house kept a wine-shop also, and +amongst other drinkers, a charcoal-man, with his face +blackened and his large hat flapping over his eyes, was +paying his "shot" at the bar when these three personages +appeared. In spite of the close lookout of the +Schoolmaster and the one-eyed hag, Rodolph, who walked +before the hideous pair, exchanged a rapid and unperceived +glance with Murphy as he got into the hackney-coach.</p> + +<p>"Which way am I to go, master?" asked the driver.</p> + +<p>Rodolph replied, in a loud voice:</p> + +<p>"Allée des—"</p> + +<p>"Des Acacias, in the Bois de Boulogne," cried the +Schoolmaster, interrupting him. Then he added, "And +we will pay you well, coachman."</p> + +<p>The door was shut.</p> + +<p>"What the devil made you bawl out which way we +were going before these people?" said the Schoolmaster. +"If the thing were found out to-morrow, we might be +traced and discovered. Young man,—young man, you +are very imprudent!"</p> + +<p>The coach was already in motion. Rodolph answered:</p> + +<p>"True; I did not think of that. But with my cigar +I shall smoke you like herrings; let us have a window +open."</p> + +<p>And, joining the action to the words, Rodolph, with +much dexterity, let fall outside the window the morsel +of paper, folded very small, on which he had hastily +written a few words in pencil under his blouse. The +Schoolmaster's glance was so quick, that, in spite of the +calmness of Rodolph's features, the ruffian detected some +expression of triumph, for, putting his head out of the +window, he called out to the driver:</p> + +<p>"Whip behind! whip behind! there is some one +getting up at the back of the coach!"</p> + +<p>The coach stopped, and the driver, standing on his +seat, looked back, and said:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span></p> + +<p>"No, master, there is no one there."</p> + +<p>"<i>Parbleu!</i> I will look myself," replied the Schoolmaster, +jumping out into the street.</p> + +<p>Not seeing any person or anything (for since Rodolph +had dropped the paper the coach had gone on several +yards), the Schoolmaster thought he was mistaken.</p> + +<p>"You will laugh at me," he said, as he resumed his +seat, "but I don't know why I thought some one was +following us."</p> + +<p>The coach at this moment turned round a corner, and +Murphy, who had not lost sight of it with his eyes, and +had seen Rodolph's manœuvre, ran and picked up the +little note, which had fallen into a crevice between two +of the paving-stones.</p> + +<p>At the end of a quarter of an hour the Schoolmaster +said to the driver of the hackney-coach:</p> + +<p>"My man, we have changed our minds; drive to the +Place de la Madelaine."</p> + +<p>Rodolph looked at him with astonishment.</p> + +<p>"All right, young man; from hence we may go to a +thousand different places. If they seek to track us hereafter, +the deposition of the coachman will not be of the +slightest service to them."</p> + +<p>At the moment when the coach was approaching the +barrier, a tall man, clothed in a long white riding-coat, +with his hat drawn over his eyes, and whose complexion +appeared of a deep brown, passed rapidly along the road, +stooping over the neck of a high, splendid hunter, which +trotted with extraordinary speed.</p> + +<p>"A good horse and a good rider," said Rodolph, leaning +forward to the door of the coach and following +Murphy (for it was he) with his eyes. "What a pace +that stout man goes! Did you see him?"</p> + +<p>"<i>Ma foi!</i> he passed so very quickly," said the Schoolmaster, +"that I did not remark him."</p> + +<p>Rodolph calmly concealed his satisfaction; Murphy +had, doubtless, deciphered the almost hieroglyphic characters<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span> +of the note which he had dropped, and which had +escaped the vigilance of the Schoolmaster. Certain that +the coach was not followed, he had become more assured, +and desirous of imitating the Chouette, who slept, or +rather pretended to sleep, he said to Rodolph:</p> + +<p>"Excuse me, young man, but the motion of the coach +always produces a singular effect on me,—it sends me +off to sleep like a child."</p> + +<p>The ruffian, under the guise of assumed sleep, thought +to examine whether the physiognomy of his companion +betrayed any emotion; but Rodolph was on his guard, +and replied:</p> + +<p>"I rose so early that I feel sleepy, and will have a +nap, too."</p> + +<p>He shut his eyes, and very soon the hard breathing +of the Schoolmaster and the Chouette, who snored in +chorus, so completely deceived Rodolph, that, thinking +his companions sound asleep, he half opened his eyes. +The Schoolmaster and the Chouette, in spite of their +loud snoring, had their eyes open, and were exchanging +some mysterious signs by means of their fingers curiously +placed or bent in the palms of their hands. In an +instant this mute language ceased. The brigand no +doubt perceived, by some almost imperceptible sign, that +Rodolph was not asleep, and said, in a laughing tone:</p> + +<p>"Ah, ah, comrade! what, you were trying your +friends, were you?"</p> + +<p>"That can't astonish you, who sleep with your eyes +open."</p> + +<p>"I, who—That's different, young man; I am a +somnambulist."</p> + +<p>The hackney-coach stopped in the Place de la Madelaine. +The rain had ceased for a moment, but the +clouds, driven by the violence of the wind, were so dark +and so low, that it was almost night in appearance. +Rodolph, the Chouette, and the Schoolmaster went +towards the Cours la Reine.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Young man, I have an idea, which is not a bad one," +said the robber.</p> + +<p>"What is it?"</p> + +<p>"To ascertain if all that you have told us respecting +the interior of the house in the Allée des Veuves is true."</p> + +<p>"You surely will not go there now, under any circumstances? +It would awaken suspicion."</p> + +<p>"I am not such a flat as that, young fellow; but why +have I a wife whose name is Finette?"</p> + +<p>The Chouette drew up her head.</p> + +<p>"Do you see her, young man? Why, she looks like +a war-horse when he hears the blast of the trumpet!"</p> + +<p>"You mean to send her as a lookout?"</p> + +<p>"Precisely so."</p> + +<p>"No. 17, Allée des Veuves, isn't it, my man?" cried +the Chouette, impatiently. "Make yourself easy: I +have but one eye, but that is a good one."</p> + +<p>"Do you see, young man,—do you see she is all +impatience to be at work?"</p> + +<p>"If she manages cleverly to get into the house, I do +not think your idea a bad one."</p> + +<p>"Take the umbrella, <i>fourline</i>; in half an hour I will +be here again, and you shall see what I will do," said +the Chouette.</p> + +<p>"One moment, Finette; we are going down to the +Bleeding Heart,—only two steps from here. If the +little Tortillard (cripple) is there, you had better take +him with you; he will remain outside on the watch +whilst you go inside the house."</p> + +<p>"You are right,—little Tortillard is as cunning as a +fox; he is not ten years of age, and yet it was he who +the other day—"</p> + +<p>A signal from the Schoolmaster interrupted the +Chouette.</p> + +<p>"What does the 'Bleeding Heart' mean? It is an +odd sign for a cabaret," asked Rodolph.</p> + +<p>"You must complain to the landlord."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span></p> + +<p>"What is his name?"</p> + +<p>"The landlord of the Bleeding Heart?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"What is that to you? He never asks the names of +his customers."</p> + +<p>"But, still—"</p> + +<p>"Call him what you like,—Peter, Thomas, Christopher, +or Barnabas,—he will answer to any and all. +But here we are, and it's time we were, for the rain is +coming down again in floods; and how the river roars! +It has almost become a torrent! Why, look at it! Two +more days of such rain, and the water will overflow the +arches of the bridge."</p> + +<p>"You say that we are <i>there</i>, but where the devil is +the cabaret? I do not see any house here."</p> + +<p>"Certainly not, if you look round about you."</p> + +<p>"Where should I look, then?"</p> + +<p>"At your feet."</p> + +<p>"At my feet?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"And whereabouts?"</p> + +<p>"Here,—look; do you see the roof? Mind, and +don't step upon it."</p> + +<p>Rodolph had not remarked one of those subterraneans +which used to be seen, some years since, in certain spots +in the Champs Elysées, and particularly near the Cours +la Reine.</p> + +<p>A flight of steps, cut out of the damp and greasy +ground, led to the bottom of this sort of deep ditch, +against one end of which, cut perpendicularly, leaned +a low, mean, dilapidated hovel; its roof, covered with +moss-covered tiles, was scarcely so high as the ground +on which Rodolph was standing; two or three out-buildings, +constructed of worm-eaten planks, serving as +cellar, wood-house, and rabbit-hutches, surrounded this +wretched den.</p> + +<p>A narrow path, which extended along this ditch, led<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span> +from the stairs to the door of the hut; the rest of the +ground was concealed under a mass of trellis-work, +which sheltered two rows of clumsy tables, fastened +to the ground. A worn-out iron sign swung heavily +backwards and forwards on its creaking hinges, and +through the rust that covered it might still be seen +a red heart pierced with an arrow. The sign was +supported by a post erected above this cave,—this +real human burrow.</p> + +<p>A thick and moist fog was added to the rain as night +approached.</p> + +<p>"What think you of this hôtel, young fellow?" +inquired the Schoolmaster.</p> + +<p>"Why, thanks to the torrents that have fallen for the +last fortnight, it must be deliciously fresh. But come +on."</p> + +<p>"One moment,—I wish to know if the landlord is in. +Hark!"</p> + +<p>The ruffian then, thrusting his tongue forcibly against +his palate, produced a singular noise,—a sort of guttural +sound, loud and lengthened, something like P-r-r-r-r-r-r-r!!! +A similar note came from the depths of the +hovel.</p> + +<p>"He's there," said the Schoolmaster. "Pardon me, +young man,—respect to the ladies,—allow the Chouette +to pass first; I follow you. Mind how you come,—it's +slippery."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span></p> +<h3>CHAPTER XIV.</h3> + +<h5>THE BLEEDING HEART.</h5> + + +<p>The landlord of the Bleeding Heart, after having +responded to the signal of the Schoolmaster, advanced +politely to the threshold of his door.</p> + +<p>This personage, whom Rodolph had been to see in the +Cité, and whom he did not yet know under his true +name, or, rather, his habitual surname, was Bras Rouge.</p> + +<p>Lank, mean-looking, and feeble, this man might be +fifty years of age. His countenance resembled both the +weasel and the rat; his peaked nose, his receding chin, +his high cheek-bones, his small eyes, black, restless, and +keen, gave his features an indescribable expression of +malice, cunning, and sagacity. An old brown wig, or, +rather, as yellow as his bilious complexion, perched on +the top of his head, showed the nape of the old fellow's +withered neck. He had on a round jacket, and one of +those long black aprons worn by the waiters at the wine +shops.</p> + +<p>Our three acquaintances had hardly descended the last +step of the staircase when a child of about ten years of +age, rickety, lame, and somewhat misshapen, came to +rejoin Bras Rouge, whom he resembled in so striking +a manner that there was no mistaking them for father +and son. There was the same quick and cunning look, +joined to that impudent, hardened, and knavish air, which +is peculiar to the scamp (<i>voyou</i>) of Paris,—that fearful +type of precocious depravity, that real 'hemp-seed' +(<i>graine de bagne</i>), as they style it, in the horrible slang<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span> +of the gaol. The forehead of the brat was half lost +beneath a thatch of yellowish locks, as harsh and stiff +as horse-hair. Reddish-coloured trousers and a gray +blouse, confined by a leather girdle, completed Tortillard's +costume, whose nickname was derived from his +infirmity. He stood close to his father, standing on +his sound leg like a heron by the side of a marsh.</p> + +<p>"Ah, here is the darling one (<i>môme</i>)!" said the +Schoolmaster. "Finette, night is coming on, and time +is pressing; we must profit by the daylight which is left +to us."</p> + +<p>"You are right, my man; I will ask the father to +spare his darling."</p> + +<p>"Good day, old friend," said Bras Rouge, addressing +the Schoolmaster, in a voice which was cracked, sharp, +and shrill. "What can I do for you?"</p> + +<p>"Why, if you could spare your 'small boy' to my +mistress for a quarter of an hour, she has lost something +which he could help her to look for."</p> + +<p>Bras Rouge winked his eye and made a sign to the +Schoolmaster, and then said to the child:</p> + +<p>"Tortillard, go with madame."</p> + +<p>The hideous brat hopped forward and took hold of the +"one-eyed's" hand.</p> + +<p>"Love of a bright boy, come along! There is a +child!" said Finette. "And how like his father! He +is not like Pegriotte, who always pretended to have a +pain in her side when she came near me,—a little +baggage!"</p> + +<p>"Come, come away!—be off, Finette! Keep your +weather-eye open, and bright lookout. I await you +here."</p> + +<p>"I won't be long. Go first, Tortillard."</p> + +<p>The one-eyed hag and the little cripple went up the +slippery steps.</p> + +<p>"Finette, take the umbrella," the brigand called out.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 329px;"><a name="image158" id="image158"></a> +<img src="images/i004.jpg" width="329" height="500" alt=""'Ah, Here is the 'Darling One'!'" +Original Etching by Adrian Marcel" title=""'Ah, Here is the 'Darling One'!'"" /> +<span class="caption">"'<i>Ah, Here is the 'Darling One'!</i>'"<br /> +<span class="artist">Original Etching by Adrian Marcel</span></span> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span></p> + +<p>"It would be in the way, my man," said the old +woman, who quickly disappeared with Tortillard in the +midst of the fog, which thickened with the twilight, and +the hollow murmur of the wind as it moaned through +the thick and leafless branches of the tall elms in the +Champs Elysées.</p> + +<p>"Let us go in," said Rodolph.</p> + +<p>It was requisite to stoop in passing in at the door of +the cabaret, which was divided into two apartments. In +one was a bar and a broken-down billiard-table; in the +other, tables and garden chairs, which had once been +painted green. Two narrow windows, with their cracked +panes festooned with spiders' webs, cast a dim but not +religious light on the damp walls.</p> + +<p>Rodolph was alone for one moment only, during which +Bras Rouge and the Schoolmaster had time to exchange +some words, rapidly uttered, and some mysterious signs.</p> + +<p>"You'll take a glass of beer,—or brandy, perhaps,—whilst +we wait for Finette?" said the Schoolmaster.</p> + +<p>"No; I am not thirsty."</p> + +<p>"Do as you like,—I am for a 'drain' of brandy," +said the ruffian; and he seated himself on one of the +little green tables in the second apartment.</p> + +<p>Darkness came on to this den so completely, that it +was impossible to see in one of the angles of this inner +apartment the open mouth of one of those cellars which +are entered by a door in two divisions, one of which was +constantly kept open for the convenience of access. The +table at which the Schoolmaster sat was close upon this +dark and deep hole, and he turned his back upon it, so +that it was entirely concealed from Rodolph's view.</p> + +<p>He was looking through the window, in order to command +his countenance and conceal the workings of his +thoughts. The sight of Murphy speeding through the +Allée des Veuves did not quite assure him; he was +afraid that the worthy squire had not quite understood +the full meaning of his note, necessarily so laconic, and +containing only these words:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span></p> + +<p>"This evening—ten o'clock. Be on your guard."</p> + +<p>Resolved not to go to the Allée des Veuves before +that moment, nor to lose sight of the Schoolmaster for +an instant, he yet trembled at the idea of losing the only +opportunity that might ever be afforded him of obtaining +that secret which he was so excessively anxious to possess. +Although he was powerful and well armed, yet he +had to deal with an unscrupulous assassin, capable of +any and every thing. Not desiring, however, that his +thoughts should be detected, he seated himself at the +table with the Schoolmaster, and, by way of seeming at +his ease, called for a glass of something. Bras Rouge +having exchanged a few words, in a low tone, with the +brigand, looked at Rodolph with an air in which curiosity, +distrust, and contempt were mingled.</p> + +<p>"It is my advice, young man," said the Schoolmaster, +"that if my wife informs us that the persons we wish to +see are within, we had better make our call about eight +o'clock."</p> + +<p>"That will be two hours too soon," said Rodolph; +"and that will spoil all."</p> + +<p>"Do you think so?"</p> + +<p>"I am sure of it."</p> + +<p>"Bah! amongst friends there should be no ceremony."</p> + +<p>"I know them well, and I tell you that we must not +think of going before ten o'clock."</p> + +<p>"Are you out of your senses, young man?"</p> + +<p>"I give you my opinion, and devil fetch me if I stir +from here before ten o'clock."</p> + +<p>"Don't disturb yourself,—I never close my establishment +before midnight," said Bras Rouge, in his falsetto +voice; "it is the time when my best customers drop in; +and my neighbours never complain of the noise which is +made in my house."</p> + +<p>"I must agree to all you wish, young man," continued +the Schoolmaster. "Be it so, then; we will not set out +on our visit until ten o'clock."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Here is the Chouette!" said Bras Rouge, hearing +and replying to a warning cry similar to that which the +Schoolmaster had uttered before he descended to the +subterraneous abode.</p> + +<p>A minute afterwards the Chouette entered the billiard-room +alone.</p> + +<p>"It is all right, my man,—I've done the trick!" cried +the one-eyed hag, as she entered.</p> + +<p>Bras Rouge discreetly withdrew, without asking a +word about Tortillard, whom, perhaps, he did not expect +to see return. The beldam sat with her face towards +Rodolph and the brigand.</p> + +<p>"Well?" said the Schoolmaster.</p> + +<p>"The young fellow has told us all true, so far."</p> + +<p>"Ah! you see I was right," exclaimed Rodolph.</p> + +<p>"Let the Chouette tell her tale, young man. Come, +tell us all about it, Finette."</p> + +<p>"I went straight to No. 17, leaving Tortillard on the +lookout and concealed in a corner. It was still daylight, +and I rung at a side door which opens outwards, +and here's about two inches of space between it and the +sill; nothing else to notice. I rang; the porter opened. +Before I pulled the bell I had put my bonnet in my +pocket, that I might look like a neighbour. As soon as I +saw the porter I pretended to cry violently, saying that +I had lost a pet parrot, Cocotte,—a little darling that I +adored. I told him I lived in the Rue Marboeuf, and +that I had pursued Cocotte from garden to garden, and +entreated him to allow me to enter and try and find the +bird."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" said the Schoolmaster, with an air of proud +satisfaction, pointing to Finette, "what a woman!"</p> + +<p>"Very clever," said Rodolph. "And what then?"</p> + +<p>"The porter allowed me to look for the creature, and +I went trotting all around the garden, calling 'Cocotte! +Cocotte!' and looked about me in every direction to scrutinise +every thing. Inside the walls," continued the horrid<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span> +old hag, going on with her description of the premises, +"inside the walls, trellis-work all around,—a perfect +staircase; at the left-hand corner of the wall a fir-tree, +just like a ladder,—a lying-in woman might descend by it. +The house has six windows on the ground floor, and has +no upper story,—six small windows without any fastening. +The windows of the ground floor close with shutters, +having hooks below and staples in the upper part: +press in the bottom, use your steel file—"</p> + +<p>"A push," said the Schoolmaster, "and it is open."</p> + +<p>The Chouette continued:</p> + +<p>"The entrance has a glass door, two Venetian blinds +outside—"</p> + +<p>"Memorandum," said the ruffian.</p> + +<p>"Quite correct; it is as precise as if we saw it," said +Rodolph.</p> + +<p>"On the left," resumed the Chouette, "near the courtyard, +is a well; the rope may be useful (for at that particular +spot there is no trellis against the wall), in case +retreat should be cut off in the direction of the door. +On entering into the house—"</p> + +<p>"You got inside the house, then? Young man, she +got inside the house!" said the Schoolmaster, with +pride.</p> + +<p>"To be sure I got in! Not finding Cocotte, I had +made so much lamentation that I pretended I was quite +out of breath; I begged the porter to allow me to sit +down on the step of the door, and he very kindly asked +me to step in, offering me a glass of wine and water. +'A glass of plain water,' I said; 'plain water only, my +good sir.' Then he made me go into the antechamber,—carpeted +all over; good precaution,—footsteps or broken +glass cannot be heard, if we must 'mill the glaze' (break +a pane of glass); right and left, doors with sliding bolts, +which open by a gentle push from the top. At the +bottom was a strong door, locked,—it looked very like a +money-chest. I had my wax in my basket—"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span></p> + +<p>"She had her wax, young man! She never goes without +her wax!" said the brigand.</p> + +<p>The Chouette proceeded:</p> + +<p>"It was necessary to approach the door which smelled +so strongly of the cash, so I pretended that I was seized +with a fit of coughing,—so violent, that I was compelled +to lean against the wall for support. Hearing me cough, +the porter said,'I'll fetch you a morsel of sugar to put +in your water.' He probably looked for a spoon, for I +heard plate chink,—plate in the room on the left-hand; +don't forget that, <i>fourline</i>. Well, coughing and wheezing, +I reached the door at the bottom,—I had my wax +in the palm of my hand. I leaned against the lock as +though accidentally, and here is the impression; we may +not want it to-day, but another time it may be useful."</p> + +<p>And the Chouette gave the brigand a bit of yellow +wax, on which the print of the lock was perfectly impressed.</p> + +<p>"You can tell us whether this is the door of the +money-chest," said the Chouette.</p> + +<p>"It is, and there is the cash," replied Rodolph; and +then said to himself, "Has Murphy, then, been the dupe +of this cursed old hag? Perhaps so, and he only expects +to be assailed at ten o'clock; by that time every precaution +will have been taken."</p> + +<p>"But all the money is not there," continued the Chouette, +and her one green eye sparkled. "As I approached +the windows, still searching for my darling Cocotte, I saw +in one of the chambers (door on the left) some bags +of crown pieces, in a bureau. I saw them as plainly +as I see you, my man; there were at least a dozen of +them."</p> + +<p>"Where is Tortillard?" said the Schoolmaster.</p> + +<p>"In his hiding-place,—not more than two paces from +the garden. He can see in the dark like a cat. There +is only that one entrance to No. 17, so when we go he +will tell us if any one has come or not."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span></p> + +<p>"That's good—"</p> + +<p>The Schoolmaster had scarcely uttered these words +than he made a sudden rush at Rodolph, grappled him +by the throat, and flung him violently down the cellar +which was yawning behind the table.</p> + +<p>The attack was so rapid, unexpected, and powerful, +that Rodolph could neither foresee nor avoid it. The +Chouette, alarmed, uttered a piercing shriek; for at the +first moment she had not seen the result of the struggle. +When the noise of Rodolph's body rolling down +the steps had ceased, the Schoolmaster, who knew +all the ways and windings of the underground vaults +in the place, went down the stairs slowly, listening as +he went.</p> + +<p>"<i>Fourline</i>, be on your guard," cried the beldam, leaning +over the opening of the trap; "draw your 'pinking +iron.'"</p> + +<p>The brigand disappeared without any reply. For a +time nothing was heard, but at the end of a few moments +the distant noise of a door shutting, which +creaked on its rusty hinges, sounded harshly in the +depths of the cavern; then all was again still as death. +The darkness was complete. The Chouette fumbled in +her basket, and then, producing a lucifer-match, lighted a +wax taper, whose feeble ray made visible the darkness +of this dreary den.</p> + +<p>At this moment the monster-visage of the Schoolmaster +appeared at the opening of the trap. The Chouette +could not repress an exclamation of horror at the sight +of his ghastly, seamed, mutilated, and fearful face, with +eyes that gleamed like phosphorus, and seemed to glare +on the ground even in the midst of the darkness which +the lighted taper could not entirely dissipate. Having +subdued her feeling of fright, the old hag exclaimed, in +a tone of horrible flattery:</p> + +<p>"You must be an awful man, <i>fourline</i>, for even I was +frightened!—yes, I!"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Quick, quick, for the Allée des Veuves!" said the +ruffian, securely closing the double flap of the trap with +a bar of iron. "In another hour, perhaps, it will be too +late. If it is a trap, it is not yet baited; if it is not, +why, we can do the job alone."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span></p> +<h3>CHAPTER XV.</h3> + +<h5>THE VAULT.</h5> + + +<p>Stunned by his horrible fall, Rodolph lay senseless +and motionless at the bottom of the stairs, down which +he had been hurled. The Schoolmaster, dragging him +to the entrance of a second and still deeper cavern, +thrust him into its hideous recesses, and closing and securely +bolting a massy iron-shod door, returned to his +worthy confederate, the Chouette, who was waiting to +join him in the proposed robbery (it might be murder) +in the Allée des Veuves.</p> + +<p>About the end of an hour Rodolph began, though +slowly, to resume his consciousness. He found himself +extended on the ground, in the midst of thick darkness; +he extended his hand and touched the stone stairs descending +to the vault; a sensation of extreme cold about +his feet induced him to endeavour, by feeling the ground, +to ascertain the cause: his fingers dabbled in a pool of +water.</p> + +<p>With a violent effort he contrived to seat himself on +the lower step of the staircase; the giddiness arising +from his fall subsided by degrees, and as he became able +to extend his limbs he found, to his great joy, that, +though severely shaken and contused, no bones were +broken. He listened: the only sound that reached his +ear was a low, dull, pattering, but continued noise, of +which he was then far from divining the cause.</p> + +<p>As his senses became more clear, so did the circumstances, +to which he had been the unfortunate victim,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span> +return to his imagination; and just as he had recalled +each particular, and was deeply considering the possible +result of the whole, he became aware that his feet were +wholly submerged in water; it had, indeed, risen above +his ankle.</p> + +<p>In the midst of the heavy gloom and deep silence +which surrounded him, he heard still the same dull, +trickling sound he had observed before; and now the +matter was clear to him. Now, indeed, he comprehended +all the horrors of his situation: the cave was +filling with water, arising from the fearful and formidable +overflowing of the Seine,—the dungeon in which he +had been thrown was doubtless beneath the level of the +river, and was chosen by his gaolers for that purpose, as +offering a slow though certain means of destruction.</p> + +<p>The conviction of his danger recalled Rodolph entirely +to himself. Quick as lightning he made his way up the +damp, slippery stairs; arrived at the top, he came in +contact with a thick door; he tried in vain to open it,—its +massy hinges resisted his most vigorous efforts to +force them.</p> + +<p>At this moment of despair and danger, his first +thought was for Murphy. "If he be not on his guard, +those monsters will murder him!" cried he. "It will +be I who shall have caused his death,—my good, my +faithful Murphy!" This cruel thought nerved the arm +of Rodolph with fresh vigour, and again he bent his +most powerful energy to endeavour to force the ponderous +door. Alas! the thickly plated iron with which +it was covered mocked his utmost efforts; and sore, +weary, and exhausted, he was compelled to relinquish +the fruitless task. Again he descended into the cave, +in hopes of obtaining something which might serve as a +lever to force the hinges or wrench the fastenings. +Groping against the slimy walls, he felt himself continually +treading on some sort of round elastic bodies, +which appeared to slip from under his feet, and to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span> +scramble for safety past him. They were rats, driven +by the fast-rising water from their retreats. Groping +about the place on all fours, with the water half way up +his leg, Rodolph felt in all directions for the weapon he +so much desired to find; nothing but the damp walls +met his touch, however, and, in utter despair, he resumed +his position at the top of the steps,—of the thirteen +stairs which composed the flight, three were already +under water.</p> + +<p>Thirteen had ever been Rodolph's unlucky number. +There are moments when the strongest minds are under +the influence of superstitious ideas, and, at this juncture, +Rodolph viewed the fatal amount of stairs as an ill +augury. Again the possible fate of Murphy recurred +to him, and, as if inspired by a fresh hope, he eagerly +felt around the door to discover some slight chink, or +opening, by which his cries for help might be heard. +In vain; the dampness of the soil had swollen the +wood, and joined it hermetically to the wet, slimy +earth.</p> + +<p>Rodolph next tried the powers of his voice, and +shouted with the fullest expansion of his lungs, trusting +that his cries for assistance might reach the adjoining +cabaret; and then, tired and exhausted, sat +down to listen. Nothing was to be heard, no sound +disturbed the deep silence which reigned, but the drop, +drop, drop, the dull, trickling, monotonous bubbling of +the fast-increasing waters.</p> + +<p>His last hope extinguished, Rodolph seated himself in +gloomy despair, and, leaning his back against the door, +bewailed the perilous situation of his faithful friend,—perhaps +at that very moment struggling beneath the +assassin's knife. Bitterly did he then regret his rash +and venturesome projects, however good and generous +the motives by which he had been instigated; and +severely did he reproach himself for having taken advantage +of the devotion of Murphy, who, rich, honoured,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span> +and esteemed by all who knew him, had quitted a beloved +wife and child, to assist Rodolph in the bold +undertaking he had imposed on himself.</p> + +<p>During these sorrowful reflections, the water was still +rising rapidly, and five steps only now remained dry. +Rodolph now found himself compelled to assume a +standing position, though, in so doing, his forehead +was brought in close contact with the very top of the +vault. He calculated the probable duration of his +mortal agony,—of the period which must elapse ere +this slow, inch-like death would put a period to his +misery; he bethought him of the pistol he carried with +him, and, at the risk of injuring himself in the attempt, +he determined to fire it off against the door, so as to +disturb some of the fastenings by the concussion; but +here, again, a disappointment awaited him,—the pistol +was nowhere to be found, and he could but conclude it +had fallen from his pocket during his struggle with the +Schoolmaster. But for his deep concern on Murphy's +account, Rodolph would have met his death unmoved,—his +conscience acquitted him of all intentional offence; +nay, it solaced him with the recollection of +good actually performed, and much more meditated. +To the decrees of an all-wise and inscrutable Providence +he resigned himself, and humbly accepted his present +punishment as the just reward for a criminal action +as yet unexpiated.</p> + +<p>A fresh trial of his fortitude awaited him. The rats, +still pursued by the fast-gathering waters, finding no +other means of escape, sought refuge from one step to +another, ascending as fast as the rising flood rendered +their position untenable; unable to scale the perpendicular +walls or doors, they availed themselves of the +vestments of Rodolph, whose horror and disgust rose to +an indescribable degree, as he felt their cold, clammy +paws, and wet, hairy bodies, crawling or clinging to +him; in his attempts to repulse them, their sharp, cold<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span> +bite inflicted on him a most acute agony, while his +face and hands streamed with blood, from the multitude +of wounds received. Again he called for help, +shouted aloud, and almost screamed in his pain and +wretchedness. Alas! the dull echo of the vault and +the gurgling waters alone replied. A few short moments, +and he would be bereft even of the power of +calling upon God or man to help him; the rapidly +rising flood had now reached his very throat, and ere +long would have ascended to his lips.</p> + +<p>The choked air began, too, to fail in the narrow space +now left it, and the first symptoms of asphyxia began to +oppress Rodolph; the arteries of his temples beat violently, +his head became giddy, and the faint sickness of +death seemed to make his chest heave convulsively. +Already were the waters gurgling in his ears; a dizziness +of sight and a confusion of ideas had well-nigh +deprived him of all powers of sight or sound; the last +glimmer of reason was well-nigh shaken from her +throne, when hasty steps and the sound of voices on +the other side of the door were heard.</p> + +<p>Hope recalled his expiring strength, and, making one +powerful effort, Rodolph was able to distinguish the +following words, after which all consciousness forsook +him:</p> + +<p>"Did I not tell you so? There, you see there is no one +here!"</p> + +<p>"Deuce take it! no more there is," replied the voice of +the Chourineur, in a tone of vexation and disappointment. +And the sounds died away.</p> + +<p>Rodolph, utterly exhausted, had no longer power to +sustain himself; his limbs sunk from under him, and he +slid unresistingly down the stone steps.</p> + +<p>All at once the door of the vault was abruptly opened +from the other side, and the swelling masses contained +in the inner vault, glad to find a further outlet, rushed +onwards as though bursting through the gates of a sluice,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span> +and the Chourineur, whose opportune return shall be accounted +for by and by, seized the two arms of Rodolph, +who, half dead, had mechanically clung to the threshold +of the door, and bore him from the black and rushing +waters which had nigh proved his grave.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span></p> +<h3>CHAPTER XVI.</h3> + +<h5>THE SICK-NURSE.</h5> + + +<p>Snatched by the Chourineur from a certain death, and +removed to the house in the Allée des Veuves which had +been reconnoitred by the Chouette, previously to the attempt +on it by the Schoolmaster, Rodolph was placed in +bed, in a comfortably furnished apartment; a cheerful +fire was burning on the hearth. A lamp, placed on a +neighbouring table, diffused a strong, clear light; while +the bed of Rodolph, shaded by thick curtains of green +damask, remained protected from the glare, and in the +shadow of its deep recess.</p> + +<p>A negro of middle stature, with white hair and eyebrows, +wearing an orange and green riband at the buttonhole +of his blue coat, sat by the bedside, holding in his +right hand a seconds' watch, which he appeared to consult +while counting with his left the beating of Rodolph's +pulse. The expression of the negro's countenance was at +once sad and pensive, and he continued from time to +time to gaze on the sleeping man with the most tender +solicitude.</p> + +<p>The Chourineur, clad in rags and soiled with mud, +stood motionless, with folded arms, at the foot of the +bed; his red beard was long and matted, in disorder; +his thick, bushy hair was tangled with mud and wet, which +still dripped from it; while his hard, bronzed features +were marked by the most profound pity for the patient: +hardly venturing to breathe lest the heaving of his huge +chest should disturb the invalid, he awaited with the most<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span> +intense anxiety the result of the doctor's observations on +the sick man's state; then, as though to while away the +fearful apprehension of an unfavourable opinion, he continued +to deliver his thoughts aloud, after the following +manner:</p> + +<p>"Who would think, now, to see him lying there so +helpless, he could ever have been the man to give me +such a precious drubbing as I got from him? I dare +say, though, he will soon be up again, well and strong as +ever. Don't you think so, M. le Docteur? Faith, I only +wish he could drum himself well upon my back; I'd lend +it him as long as he liked. But, perhaps, that would +shake him too much, and overfatigue him; would it, +sir?" addressing the negro, whose only reply was an +impatient wave of the hand.</p> + +<p>The Chourineur was instantly silent.</p> + +<p>"The draught!" said the doctor.</p> + +<p>The Chourineur, who had respectfully left his nailed +shoes at the door, at these words arose, and walked +towards the table indicated by the negro's finger; going +on the very top of his toes, drawing up his legs, extending +his arms, and swelling out his back and shoulders, in +a manner so ludicrous as, under other circumstances, +would have been highly diverting. The poor fellow +seemed endeavouring to collect his whole weight, so that +no portion of it should touch the floor; which, in spite of +his energetic efforts to prevent it, groaned beneath his +ponderous limbs as they moved towards the desired spot. +Unfortunately, between his overanxiety to acquit himself +well in his important mission, and his fear of dropping +the delicate phial he was bringing so overcarefully, he +grasped the slight neck so tightly in his huge hand that +it shivered to atoms, and the precious liquid was expended +on the carpet.</p> + +<p>At the sight of this unfortunate mischance the Chourineur +remained in mute astonishment, one of his huge +legs in the air, his toes nervously contracted, and looking<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span> +with a stupefied air alternately from the doctor to +the fragments of the bottle, and from that to the morsel +his thumb and finger were yet tightly holding.</p> + +<p>"Awkward devil!" exclaimed the negro, impatiently.</p> + +<p>"Yes, that I am!" responded the Chourineur, as +though grateful for the sound of a voice to break the +frightful bewilderment of his ideas.</p> + +<p>"Ah!" cried the Æsculapius, observing the table attentively, +"happily you took the wrong phial,—I wanted +the other one."</p> + +<p>"What, that little one with the red stuff?" inquired +the unlucky sick-nurse, in a low and humble tone.</p> + +<p>"Of course I mean that; why, there is no other left."</p> + +<p>The Chourineur, turning quickly around upon his heels, +after his old military fashion, crushed the fragments of +glass which lay on the carpet beneath his feet. More +delicate ones might have suffered severely from the circumstance, +but the <i>ex-débardeur</i> had a pair of natural +sandals, hard as the hoofs of a horse.</p> + +<p>"Have a care!" cried the physician. "You will hurt +yourself!"</p> + +<p>To this caution the Chourineur paid no attention, but +seemed wholly absorbed in so discharging his new mission +as should effectually destroy all recollection of his late +clumsiness. It was really beautiful to behold the scrupulous +delicacy and lightness of touch with which, spreading +out his two first fingers, he seized the fragile crystal; +avoiding all use of the unlucky thumb whose undue pressure, +he rightly conceived, had brought about his previous +accident, he kept so widely stretched from his forefinger +that a butterfly might have passed between, with outspread +wings, without losing one atom of its golden plumage. +The black doctor trembled lest all this caution should lead +to a second misadventure, but, happily, the phial reached +its destination in safety. As the Chourineur approached +the bed, he again smashed beneath his tread some of the +fallen relics of the former potion.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span></p> + +<p>"The deuce take you, man! Do you want to <i>maim</i> +yourself for life?"</p> + +<p>"<i>Lame</i> myself?" asked the eager nurse.</p> + +<p>"Why, yes; you keep walking upon glass as though +you were trying for it."</p> + +<p>"Oh, bless you! never mind that; the soles of my feet +are hard as iron; must be something sharper than glass +could hurt them."</p> + +<p>"A teaspoon—" said the doctor.</p> + +<p>The Chourineur recommenced his <i>évolutions sylphidiques</i>, +and returned with the article required.</p> + +<p>After having swallowed a few spoonfuls of the mixture, +Rodolph began to stir in his bed, and faintly moved his +hands.</p> + +<p>"Good! good! he is recovering from his stupor," said +the doctor, speaking to himself. "That bleeding has +relieved him; he is now out of danger."</p> + +<p>"Saved? Bravo! Vive la Charte!" exclaimed the +Chourineur, in the full burst of his joy.</p> + +<p>"Hold your tongue! and pray be quiet!" said the +negro, in a tone of command.</p> + +<p>"To be sure I will, M. le Médécin."</p> + +<p>"His pulse is becoming regular—very well, +indeed—excellent—"</p> + +<p>"And that poor friend of M. Rodolph's,—body and +bones of me!—when he comes to know that—But, +then, luckily—"</p> + +<p>"Silence! I say."</p> + +<p>"Certainly, M. le Docteur."</p> + +<p>"And sit down."</p> + +<p>"But, M. le—"</p> + +<p>"Sit down, I tell you! You disturb me, twisting and +fidgeting about in that manner,—you distract my attention. +Come, sit down at once, and keep still."</p> + +<p>"But, doctor, don't you perceive I am as dirty as a +pile of floating wood just going to be unloaded?—all +slime and wet, you see. I should spoil the furniture."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Then sit down on the ground."</p> + +<p>"I should soil the carpet."</p> + +<p>"Do what you like, but, for heaven's sake, be quiet!" +said the doctor, in a tone of impatience; then, throwing +himself into an armchair, he leaned his head upon his +clasped hands, and appeared lost in deep reflection.</p> + +<p>After a moment of profound meditation, the Chourineur, +less from any need he felt for repose than in +obedience to the doctor's commands, took a chair with +the utmost precaution, turned it upside down with an air +of intense self-satisfaction at having at length devised a +plan to act in strict conformity with the orders received, +and yet avoid all risk of soiling the silken cushion; having +laid the back on the ground, he proceeded, after all +manner of delicate arrangements, to take his seat on the +outer rails; but, unhappily, the Chourineur was entirely +ignorant of the laws of the lever and the equilibrium of +bodies, the chair overbalanced, and the luckless individual +seated thereon, in endeavouring to save himself from falling, +by an involuntary movement caught hold of a small +stand, on which was a tray containing some tea-things.</p> + +<p>At the formidable noise caused by so many falling +articles clattering upon the head of the unfortunate cause +of all this discord and havoc, the doctor sprung from his +seat, while Rodolph, awaking with a start, raised himself +on his elbow, looked about him with an anxious and perturbed +glance, then, passing his hand over his brows, as +though trying to arrange his ideas, he inquired:</p> + +<p>"Where is Murphy?"</p> + +<p>"Your royal highness need be under no apprehensions +on his account," answered the negro, respectfully; "there +is every hope of his recovery."</p> + +<p>"Recovery! He is, then, wounded?"</p> + +<p>"Unhappily, my lord, he is."</p> + +<p>"Where is he? Let me see him!" And Rodolph +endeavoured to rise, but fell back again, overcome by +weakness and the intense pain he felt from his many<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span> +and severe contusions. "Since I cannot walk," cried he, +at length, "let me be instantly carried to Murphy,—this +moment!"</p> + +<p>"My lord, he sleeps at present; it would be highly +dangerous, at this particular juncture, to expose him to +the slightest agitation."</p> + +<p>"You are deceiving me, and he is dead! He has been +murdered! And I—I am the wretched cause of it!" +cried Rodolph, in a tone of agony, raising his clasped +hands towards heaven.</p> + +<p>"My lord knows that his servant is incapable of a +falsehood. I assert by my honour, that, although severely +wounded, Murphy lives, and that his chance of recovery +is all but certain."</p> + +<p>"You say that but to prepare me for more disastrous +tidings; he lies, doubtless, wounded past all hope; and +he, my faithful friend, will die!"</p> + +<p>"My lord—"</p> + +<p>"Yes, you are seeking to deceive me till all is over. +But I will see him,—I will judge for myself; the sight +of a friend cannot be hurtful. Let me be instantly +removed to his chamber."</p> + +<p>"Once more, my lord, I pledge my solemn assurance, +that, barring chances not likely to occur, Murphy will +soon be convalescent."</p> + +<p>"My dear David, may I indeed believe you?"</p> + +<p>"You may, indeed, my lord."</p> + +<p>"Hear me. You know the high opinion I entertain +of your ability and knowledge, and that, from the hour +in which you were attached to my household, you have +possessed my most unbounded confidence,—never, for +one instant, have I doubted your great skill and perfect +acquaintance with your profession; but I conjure you, if +a consultation be necessary—"</p> + +<p>"My lord, that would have been my first thought, +had I seen the slightest reason for such a step; but, up +to the present moment, it would be both useless and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span> +unnecessary. And, besides, I should be somewhat tenacious +of introducing strangers into the house until I +knew whether your orders of yesterday—"</p> + +<p>"But how has all this happened?" said Rodolph, interrupting +the black. "Who saved me from drowning +in that horrid cellar? I have a confused recollection +of having heard the Chourineur's voice there; was I +mistaken?"</p> + +<p>"Not at all mistaken, my lord. But let the brave +fellow, to whom all praise is due, relate the affair in +which he was the principal actor himself."</p> + +<p>"Where is he? Where is he?"</p> + +<p>The doctor looked about for the recently elected sick-nurse, +and at length found him, thoroughly silenced +and shamed by his late tumble, ensconced behind the +curtains of the bed.</p> + +<p>"Here he is," said the doctor; "he looks somewhat +shamefaced."</p> + +<p>"Come forward, my brave fellow!" said Rodolph, +extending his hand to his preserver.</p> + +<p>The confusion of the poor Chourineur was still further +increased from having, when behind his curtain, heard +the black doctor address Rodolph continually as "my +lord," or "your royal highness."</p> + +<p>"Approach, my friend,—my deliverer!" said Rodolph, +"and give me your hand."</p> + +<p>"I beg pardon, sir,—I mean, my lord,—no, highness,—no—"</p> + +<p>"Call me M. Rodolph, as you used to do; I like it +better."</p> + +<p>"And so do I,—it comes so much easier to one. +But be so good as to excuse my hand; I have done so +much work lately, that—"</p> + +<p>"Your hand, I tell you,—your hand!"</p> + +<p>Overcome by this kind and persevering command, the +Chourineur timidly extended his black and horny palm, +which Rodolph warmly shook.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Now, then, sit down, and tell me all about it,—how +you discovered the cellar. But I think I can guess. +The Schoolmaster?"</p> + +<p>"We have him in safety," said the black doctor.</p> + +<p>"Yes, he and the Chouette, tied together like two +rolls of tobacco. A pair of pretty creatures they look, +as ever you would wish to see, and, I doubt not, sick +enough of each other's company by this time."</p> + +<p>"And my poor Murphy! What a selfish wretch +must I be to think only of myself! Where is he +wounded, David?"</p> + +<p>"In the right side, my lord; but, fortunately, towards +the lower false rib."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I must have a deep and terrible revenge for +this! David, I depend upon your assistance."</p> + +<p>"My lord knows full well that I am wholly devoted +to him, both body and soul," replied the negro, coldly.</p> + +<p>"But how, my noble fellow, were you able to arrive +here in time?" said Rodolph to the Chourineur.</p> + +<p>"Why, if you please, my lor—no, sir—highness—Rodolph—I +had better begin by the beginning—"</p> + +<p>"Quite right. I am listening,—go on. But mind, +you are only to call me M. Rodolph."</p> + +<p>"Very well. You know that last night you told me, +after you returned from the country, where you had +gone with poor Goualeuse, 'Try and find the Schoolmaster +in the Cité; tell him you know of a capital +"put-up," that you have refused to join it, but that if he +will take your place he has only to be to-morrow (that's +to-day) at the barrier of Bercy, at the Panier-Fleuri, and +there he will see the man who has "made the plant" +(<i>qui a nourri le poupard</i>).'"</p> + +<p>"Well."</p> + +<p>"On leaving you, I pushed on briskly for the Cité. I +goes to the ogress's,—no Schoolmaster; then to the Rue +Saint Eloi; on to the Rue aux Fêves; then to the +Rue de la Vieille Draperie,—couldn't find my man.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span> +At last I stumbled upon him and that old devil's kin, +Chouette, in the front of Notre Dame, at the shop of a +tailor, who is a 'fence'<a name="FNanchor_1_8" id="FNanchor_1_8"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_8" class="fnanchor">[8]</a> and thief; they were 'sporting the +blunt' which they had prigged from the tall gentleman +in black, who wanted to do something to you; they +bought themselves some toggery. The Chouette bargained +for a red shawl,—an old monster! I told my +tale to the Schoolmaster and he snapped at it, and said +he would be at the rendezvous accordingly. So far so +good. This morning, according to your orders, I ran +here to bring you the answer. You said to me, 'My +lad, return to-morrow before daybreak; you must pass +the day in the house, and in the evening you will see +something which will be worth seeing.' You did not +let out more than that, but I was 'fly,' and said to +myself, 'This is a "dodge" to catch the Schoolmaster +to-morrow, by laying a right bait for him. He is a——scoundrel; +he murdered the cattle-dealer, and, as they +say, another person besides, in the Rue du Roule. I see +all about it—'"</p> + +<div class="footnotes"> +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_1_8" id="Footnote_1_8"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_8"><span class="label">[8]</span></a> Receiver of stolen goods.</p></div> +</div> + +<p>"My mistake was not to have told you all, my good +fellow; then this horrible result would not have occurred."</p> + +<p>"That was your affair, M. Rodolph; all that concerned +me was to serve you; for, truth to say, I don't +know how or why, but, as I have told you before, I +feel as if I were your bulldog. But that's enough. I +said, then, 'M. Rodolph pays me for my time, so my +time is his, and I will employ it for him.' Then an +idea strikes me: the Schoolmaster is cunning, he may +suspect a trap. M. Rodolph will propose to him the job +for to-morrow, it is true, but the 'downy cove' is likely +enough to come to-day and lurk about, and reconnoitre +the ground, and if he is suspicious of M. Rodolph he +will bring some other 'cracksman' (robber) with him, +and do the trick on his own account. To prevent this, +I said to myself, 'I must go and plant myself somewhere<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span> +where I may get a view of the walls, the garden-gate,—there +is no other entrance. If I find a snug corner, as +it rains, I will remain there all day, perhaps all night, +and to-morrow morning I shall be all right and ready to +go to M. Rodolph's.' So I goes to the Allée des Veuves +to place myself, and what should I see but a small +tavern, not ten paces from your door! I entered and +took my seat near the window, in a room on the ground +floor. I called for a quart of drink and a quart of nuts, +saying I expected some friends,—a humpbacked man +and a tall woman. I chose them because it would +appear more natural. I was very comfortably seated, +and kept my eye on the door. It rained cats and dogs; +no one passed; night came on—"</p> + +<p>"But," interrupted Rodolph, "why did you not go at +once to my house?"</p> + +<p>"You told me to come the next day morning, M. +Rodolph, and I didn't dare return there sooner; I should +have looked like an intruder,—a sneak (<i>brosseur</i>), as +the troopers call it. You understand? Well, there I +was at the window of the wine-shop, cracking my nuts and +drinking my liquor, when, through the fog, I saw the +Chouette approach, accompanied by Bras Rouge's brat, +little Tortillard. 'Ah, ah!' said I to myself, 'now the +farce begins!' Well, the little hound of a child hid +himself in one of the ditches of the Allée, and was +evidently on the lookout. As for that——, the Chouette, +she takes off her bonnet, puts it into her pocket, and +rings the gate-bell. Our poor friend, M. Murphy, opens +the door, and the one-eyed mother of mischief tosses up +her arms and makes her way into the garden. I could +have kicked myself for not being able to make out what +the Chouette was up to. At last out she comes, puts on +her bonnet, says two words to Tortillard, who returns to +his hole, and then 'cuts her stick.' I say to myself, +'Caution! no blunder now! Tortillard has come with +the Chouette; then the Schoolmaster and M. Rodolph<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span> +are at Bras Rouge's. The Chouette has come out to +reconnoitre about the house; then, sure as a gun, they'll +"try it on" this very night! If they do, M. Rodolph, who +believes they will not go to work till to-morrow, is quite +over-reached; and if he is over-reached, I ought to go to +Bras Rouge's and see for him. True; but then suppose +that the Schoolmaster arrives in the meantime,—that's +to be thought of. Suppose I go to the house and see +M. Murphy,—mind your eye! that urchin Tortillard is +near the door; he will hear me ring the bell, see me, +and give the word to the Chouette; and if she returns, +that will spoil all; and the more particularly as perhaps +M. Rodolph has, after all, made his arrangements for +this evening.' Confound it! these yes and no bothered +my brain tremendously. I was quite bewildered, and +saw nothing clear before me. I didn't know what to do +for the best, so I said, 'I'll walk out, and perhaps the +clear air will brighten my thoughts a bit.' I went out, and +the open air cleared my brain; so I took off my blouse +and my neck-handkerchief, I went to the ditch where +Tortillard lay, and taking the young devil's kin by the +cuff of his neck,—how he did wriggle, and twist, and +scuffle, and scratch!—I put him into my blouse, tying +up one end with the sleeves and the bottom tightly with +my cravat. He could breathe very well. Well, then I +took the bundle under my arm, and passing a low, damp +garden, surrounded by a little wall, I threw the brat +Tortillard into the midst of a cabbage-bed. He squeaked +like a sucking-pig, but nobody could hear him two steps +off. I cut off; it was time. I climbed up one of the +high trees in the Allée, just in front of your door, and +over the ditch in which Tortillard had been stationed. +Ten minutes afterwards I heard footsteps; it was raining +still, and the night was very dark. I listened,—it was +the Chouette. 'Tortillard! Tortillard!' says she, in a +low voice. 'It rains, and the little brat is tired of waiting,' +said the Schoolmaster, swearing; 'if I catch him,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span> +I'll skin him alive!' '<i>Fourline</i>, take care!' replied the +Chouette. 'Perhaps he has gone to warn us of something +that has happened,—maybe, some trap for us. +The young fellow would not make the attempt till ten +o'clock.' 'That's the very reason,' replies the Schoolmaster; +'it is now only seven o'clock. You saw the +money,—nothing venture, nothing have. Give me the +ripping chisel and the jemmy—'"</p> + +<p>"What instruments are they?" asked Rodolph.</p> + +<p>"They came from Bras Rouge's. Oh, he has a well-furnished +house! In a crack the door is opened. 'Stay +where you are,' said the Schoolmaster to the Chouette; +'keep a bright lookout, and give me the signal if you +hear anything.' 'Put your "pinking-iron" in the buttonhole +of your waistcoat, that you may have it handy,' said +the old hag. The Schoolmaster entered the garden, and +I instantly, coming down from the tree, fell on the +Chouette. I silenced her with two blows of my fist,—my +new style,—and she fell without a word. I ran into +the garden, but, thunder and lightning, M. Rodolph! it +was too late—"</p> + +<p>"Poor Murphy!"</p> + +<p>"He was struggling on the ground with the Schoolmaster +at the entrance, and, although wounded, he held +his voice and made no cry for help. Excellent man! he +is like a good dog, bites, but doesn't bark. Well, I +went bang, heads or tails, at it, hitting the Schoolmaster +on the shoulder, which was the only place I could at the +moment touch. 'Vive la Charte! it's I!' 'The Chourineur!' +shouts M. Murphy. 'Ah, villain! where do +you come from?' cries out the Schoolmaster, quite off +his guard at that. 'What's that to you?' says I, +fixing one of his legs between my knees, and grasping +his 'fin' with my other hand; it was that in which +he held his dagger. 'And M. Rodolph?' asked M. +Murphy of me, whilst doing all in his power to aid +me—"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Worthy, kind-hearted creature!" murmured Rodolph, +in a tone of deep distress.</p> + +<p>"'I know nothing of him,' says I; 'this scoundrel, +perhaps, has killed him.' And then I went with redoubled +strength at the Schoolmaster, who tried to stick +me with his larding-pin; but I lay with my breast on his +arm, and so he only had his fist at liberty. 'You are, +then, quite alone?' says I to M. Murphy, whilst we still +struggled desperately with the Schoolmaster. 'There +are people close at hand,' he replied; 'but they did not +hear me cry out.' 'Is it far off?' 'They would be +here in ten minutes.' 'Let us call out for help; there +are passers-by who will come and help us.' 'No, as we +have got him we must hold him here. But I am growing +weak, I am wounded.' 'Thunder and lightning! +then run and get assistance, if you have strength left; +I will try and hold him.' M. Murphy then disengaged +himself, and I was alone with the Schoolmaster. I don't +want to brag, but, by Jove! these were moments when +I was not having a holiday. We were half on the +ground, half on the bottom step of the flight. I had my +arms round the neck of the villain, my cheek against his +cheek; and he was puffing like a bull, I heard his teeth +grind. It was dark, it rained pouring; the lamp left in +the passage lighted us a little. I had twisted one of my +legs around his, but, in spite of that, his loins were so +powerful that he moved himself and me on to the bare +ground. He tried to bite me, but couldn't; I never felt +so strong. Thunder! my heart beat, but it was in the +right place. I said, 'I am like a man who is grappling +with a mad dog, to prevent him from fastening on some +passer-by.' 'Let me go, and I will do you no harm,' +said the Schoolmaster, in an exhausted voice. 'What! +a coward?' says I to him. 'So, then, your pluck is in +your strength? So you wouldn't have stabbed the cattle-dealer +at Poissy, and robbed him, if he had only been as +strong as me, eh?' 'No,' says he; 'but I will kill you<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span> +as I did him.' And saying that, he made so violent a +heave, and gave so powerful a jerk with his legs at the +same time, that he half threw me over; if I had not kept +a tight hold of his wrist which held the stiletto, I was +done for. At this moment my left hand was seized with +the cramp, and I was compelled to loosen my hold; that +nearly spoiled all, and I said to myself, 'I am now undermost +and he at top,—he'll kill me. Never mind, I had +rather be in my place than his; M. Rodolph said that I +had heart and honour.' I felt it was all over with me, +and at that moment I saw the Chouette standing close +by us, with her glaring eye and red shawl. Thunder +and lightning! I thought I had the nightmare. 'Finette,' +cries the Schoolmaster, 'I have let fall the knife; pick +it up, there, there, under him, and strike him home, in +the back, between the shoulders; quick! quick!' 'Only +wait, only wait till I find it, till I see it, <i>fourline</i>.' And +then the cursed Chouette turned and poked about us, +like an old bird of mischief as she was. At last she +found the dagger and sprung towards it, but as I was +flat on my belly I gave her a kick in the stomach, which +sent her neck over crop; she got up, and in a desperate +rage. I could do no more; I still held on and struggled +with the Schoolmaster, but he kept giving me such +dreadful blows on my jaw that I was about to let go my +hold, when I saw three or four armed men who came +down the stairs, and M. Murphy, pale as ashes, and with +difficulty supporting himself with the assistance of the +doctor here. They seized hold of the Schoolmaster and +the Chouette, and soon bound them hand and foot. +That was not all, I still wanted M. Rodolph. I sprang +at the Chouette; remembering the tooth of the poor +dear Goualeuse, I grasped her arm and twisted it, saying, +'Where is M. Rodolph?' She bore it well, and +silently. I took a second turn, and then she screeched +out, 'At Bras Rouge's, in the vault at the Bleeding +Heart!' All right! As I went, I meant to take Tortillard<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span> +from his cabbage-bed, as it was on my road. I looked +for him, but only found my blouse,—he had gnawed his +way out with his teeth. I reached the Bleeding Heart, +and I laid hold of Bras Rouge. 'Where is the young +man who came here this evening with the Schoolmaster?' +'Don't squeeze so hard, and I'll tell you. They wanted +to play him a trick and shut him up in my cellar; we'll +go now and let him out.' We went down, but there +was no one to be seen. 'He must have gone out whilst +my back was turned,' says Bras Rouge; 'you see plain +enough he is not here.' I was going away sad enough, +when, by the light of the lantern, I saw at the bottom of +the cellar another door. I ran towards it and opened +the door, and had, as it were, a pail of water thrown at +me. I saw your two poor arms in the air. I fished +you out and brought you here on my back, as there was +nobody at hand to get a coach. That's all my tale, +M. Rodolph; and I may say, without bragging, that I +am satisfied with myself."</p> + +<p>"My man, I owe my life to you; it is a heavy debt, +but be assured I will pay it. David, will you go and +learn how Murphy is," added Rodolph, "and return +again instantly?"</p> + +<p>The black went out.</p> + +<p>"Where is the Schoolmaster, my good fellow?"</p> + +<p>"In another room, with the Chouette. You will send +for the police, M. Rodolph?"</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p>"You surely will not let him go! Ah, M. Rodolph, +none of that nonsensical generosity! I say again, he is +a mad dog,—let the passengers look out!"</p> + +<p>"He will never bite again, be assured."</p> + +<p>"Then you are going to shut him up somewhere?"</p> + +<p>"No; in half an hour he will leave this house."</p> + +<p>"The Schoolmaster?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Without <i>gens-d'armes?</i>"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"<i>He</i> will go out from here, and free?"</p> + +<p>"Free."</p> + +<p>"And quite alone?"</p> + +<p>"Quite alone."</p> + +<p>"But he will go—"</p> + +<p>"Wherever he likes," said Rodolph, interrupting the +Chourineur with a meaning smile.</p> + +<p>The black returned.</p> + +<p>"Well, David, well, and how is Murphy?"</p> + +<p>"He sleeps, my lord," said the doctor, despondingly; +"his respiration is very difficult."</p> + +<p>"Not out of danger?"</p> + +<p>"His case is very critical, my lord; yet there is hope."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Murphy! vengeance! vengeance!" exclaimed +Rodolph, in a tone of concentrated rage. Then he +added, "David, a word—"</p> + +<p>And he whispered something in the ear of the black. +He started back.</p> + +<p>"Do you hesitate?" said Rodolph. "Yet I have +often suggested this idea to you; the moment is come to +put it into practice."</p> + +<p>"I do not hesitate, my lord; the suggestion is well +worthy the consideration of the most elevated jurists, +for this punishment is at the same time terrible and yet +fruitful for repentance. In this case it is most applicable. +Without enumerating the crimes which have +accumulated to send this wretch to the Bagne for his +life, he has committed three murders,—the cattle-dealer, +Murphy, and yourself; it is in his case justice—"</p> + +<p>"He will have before him an unlimited horizon for +expiation," added Rodolph. After a moment's silence +he resumed: "And five thousand francs will suffice, +David?"</p> + +<p>"Amply, my lord."</p> + +<p>"My good fellow," said Rodolph to the bewildered +Chourineur, "I have two words to say to M. David; will<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span> +you go into that chamber on the other side, where you +will see a large red pocketbook on a bureau; open it and +take out five notes of a thousand francs each, and bring +them to me."</p> + +<p>"And," inquired the Chourineur, involuntarily, "who +are those five thousand francs for?"</p> + +<p>"For the Schoolmaster. And do you, at the same +time, tell them to bring him in here."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span></p> +<h3>CHAPTER XVII.</h3> + +<h5>THE PUNISHMENT.</h5> + + +<p>The scene we are about to describe took place in a +room hung with red, and brilliantly lighted. Rodolph, +clothed in a long dressing-gown of black velvet, which +increased the pallor of his features, was seated before a +large table covered with a green cloth. On this table +was the Schoolmaster's pocketbook, the pinchbeck chain +of the Chouette (to which was suspended the little Saint +Esprit of lapis lazuli), the blood-stained stiletto with +which Murphy had been stabbed, the crowbar with which +the door had been forced, and the five notes of a thousand +francs each, which the Chourineur had fetched out +of the next apartment.</p> + +<p>The negro doctor was seated at one side of the table, +the Chourineur on the other. The Schoolmaster, tightly +bound with cords, and unable to move a limb, was placed +in a large armchair on casters, in the middle of the +salon. The people who had brought in this man had +withdrawn, and Rodolph, the doctor, the Chourineur, and +the assassin were left alone. Rodolph was no longer +out of temper, but calm, sad, and collected; he was +about to discharge a solemn, self-imposed, and important +duty. The doctor was lost in meditation. The Chourineur +felt an indescribable fear; he could not take his +eyes off Rodolph. The Schoolmaster's countenance was +ghastly; he was in an agony of fear. The most profound +silence reigned within; nothing was heard but +the splash, splash of the rain without, as it fell from the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span> +roof on to the pavement. Rodolph addressed the Schoolmaster:</p> + +<p>"Anselm Duresnel, you have escaped from the Bagne +at Rochefort, where you were condemned for life for +forgery, robbery, and murder!"</p> + +<p>"It's false!" said the Schoolmaster, in a hollow voice, +and looking about him with his restless and glaring +glance.</p> + +<p>"You are Anselm Duresnel, and you murdered and +robbed a cattle-dealer on the road to Poissy—"</p> + +<p>"It's a lie!"</p> + +<p>"You shall confess it presently."</p> + +<p>The scoundrel looked at Rodolph with an air of +astonishment.</p> + +<p>"This very night you came here to rob, and you have +stabbed the master of this house—"</p> + +<p>"It was you who suggested this robbery!" assuming +an air of assurance. "I was attacked, and I defended +myself."</p> + +<p>"The man you stabbed did not attack you,—he was +unarmed. True, I did suggest this robbery to you,—I'll +tell you why. Last night only, after having robbed +a man and woman in the Cité, you offered to kill me for +a thousand francs—"</p> + +<p>"I heard him," said the Chourineur.</p> + +<p>The Schoolmaster darted at him a glance of deadliest +hate.</p> + +<p>Rodolph continued:</p> + +<p>"You see there was no occasion to tempt you to do +mischief."</p> + +<p>"You are not my judge, and I will not answer you +another question."</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 332px;"><a name="image190" id="image190"></a> +<img src="images/i005.jpg" width="332" height="500" alt=""Rodolph Addressed the Schoolmaster" +Etching by Mercier, after the drawing by Frank T. Merrill" title=""Rodolph Addressed the Schoolmaster"" /> +<span class="caption">"<i>Rodolph Addressed the Schoolmaster</i>"<br /> +<span class="artist">Etching by Mercier, after the drawing by Frank T. Merrill</span></span> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I'll tell you why I proposed this robbery to you. I +knew you were a runaway convict,—you know the parents +of the unfortunate girl, all whose misfortunes have +been caused by your miserable accomplice, the Chouette. +I wished to draw you here by the temptation of a robbery, +because this was the only temptation that could avail +with you. Once in my power, I leave you the choice of +being handed over to the hands of justice, which will +make you pay with your head the assassination of the +cattle-dealer—"</p> + +<p>"It is false! I did not commit that crime."</p> + +<p>"Or of being conducted out of France, under my direction, +to a place of perpetual confinement, where your lot +will be less painful than at the Bagne; but I will only +allow you this relaxation of punishment on condition +that you give me the information which I desire to acquire. +Condemned for life, you have broken away from +your confinement, and by seizing upon you and placing +you hereafter beyond the possibility of doing injury, I +serve society; and from your confession I may, perhaps, +find the means of restoring to her family a poor creature +much more unfortunate than guilty. This was my first +intention,—it was not legal; but your escape and your +fresh crimes forbid any such course on my part now, and +place you beyond all law. Yesterday, by a remarkable +revelation, I discovered that you are Anselm Duresnel—"</p> + +<p>"It's false! I am not called Duresnel."</p> + +<p>Rodolph took from the table the chain of the Chouette, +and pointing to the little Saint Esprit of lapis lazuli said, +in a threatening voice:</p> + +<p>"Sacrilege! You have prostituted to an infamous +wretch this holy relic,—thrice holy, for your infant boy +had this pious gift from his mother and grandmother!"</p> + +<p>The Schoolmaster, dumfounded at this discovery, +lowered his head and made no response.</p> + +<p>"You carried off your child from his mother fifteen +years ago, and you alone possess the secret of his existence. +I had in this an additional motive for laying +hands on you when I had detected who you were. I +seek no revenge for what you have done to me personally, +but to-night you have again shed blood without provocation. +The man you have assassinated came to you in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span> +full confidence, not suspecting your sanguinary purpose. +He asked you what you wanted: 'Your money or your +life!' and you stabbed him with your poniard."</p> + +<p>"So M. Murphy said when I first came to his aid," +said the doctor.</p> + +<p>"It's false! He lied!"</p> + +<p>"Murphy never lies," said Rodolph, calmly. "Your +crimes demand a striking reparation. You came into +this garden forcibly; you stabbed a man that you +might rob him; you have committed another murder; +you ought to die on this spot; but pity, respect for your +wife and son, they shall save you from the shame of a +scaffold. It will be said that you were killed in a brawl +with weapons in your hand. Prepare, the means for +your punishment are at hand."</p> + +<p>Rodolph's countenance was implacable. The Schoolmaster +had remarked in the next room two men, armed +with carbines. His name was known; he thought they +were going to make away with him and bury in the +shade his later crimes, and thus spare his family the +new opprobrium. Like his fellows, this wretch was as +cowardly as he was ferocious. Thinking his hour was +come, he trembled, and cried "Mercy!"</p> + +<p>"No mercy for you," said Rodolph. "If your brains +are not blown out here, the scaffold awaits you—"</p> + +<p>"I prefer the scaffold,—I shall live, at least, two or +three months longer. Why, why should I be punished +at once? Mercy! mercy!"</p> + +<p>"But your wife—your son—they bear your name—"</p> + +<p>"My name is dishonoured already. If only for eight +days, let me live! in mercy do!"</p> + +<p>"Not even that contempt of life which is sometimes +displayed by the greatest criminals!" said Rodolph, with +disgust.</p> + +<p>"Besides, the law forbids any one to take justice into +their own hands," said the Schoolmaster, with assurance.</p> + +<p>"The law! the <i>law!</i>" exclaimed Rodolph. "Do<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span> +you dare to invoke the law? you, who have always lived +in open revolt and constant enmity against society?"</p> + +<p>The ruffian bowed his head and made no answer; then +added, in a more humble tone:</p> + +<p>"At least, for pity's sake, spare my life!"</p> + +<p>"Will you tell me where your son is?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, I will tell you all I know."</p> + +<p>"Will you tell me who are the parents of the young +girl whose childhood the Chouette made one scene of +torture?"</p> + +<p>"In my pocketbook there are papers which will put +you on the track of the persons who gave her to the +Chouette."</p> + +<p>"Where is your son?"</p> + +<p>"Will you let me live?"</p> + +<p>"First make a full confession."</p> + +<p>"And then, when I have told you all—" said the +Schoolmaster with hesitation.</p> + +<p>"You have killed him!"</p> + +<p>"No, no! I have confided him to one of my accomplices, +who, when I was apprehended, effected his +escape."</p> + +<p>"What did he do with him?"</p> + +<p>"He brought him up, and gave him an education +which fitted him to enter into a banking-house at +Nantes, so that we might get information, manage an +introduction to the banker, and so facilitate our plans. +Although at Rochefort, and preparing for my escape, I +arranged this plan and corresponded in cipher with my +friend—"</p> + +<p>"Oh, <i>mon Dieu!</i> his child! his son! This man appals +me!" cried Rodolph, with horror, and hiding his head +between his hands.</p> + +<p>"But it was only of forgery that we thought," exclaimed +the scoundrel; "and when my son was informed +what was expected of him, he was indignant, told all to +his employer, and quitted Nantes. You will find in my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span> +pocketbook notes of all the steps taken to discover his +traces. The last place we ascertained he had lived in +was the Rue du Temple, where he was known under the +name of François Germain; the exact address is also in +my pocketbook. You see I do not wish to conceal anything,—I +have told you everything I know. Now keep +your promise. I only ask you to have me taken into +custody for <i>this</i> night's robbery."</p> + +<p>"And the cattle-merchant at Poissy?"</p> + +<p>"That affair can never be brought to light,—there +are no proofs. I own it to <i>you</i>, in proof of the sincerity +with which I am speaking, but before any other person +I should deny all knowledge of the business."</p> + +<p>"You confess it, then, do you?"</p> + +<p>"I was destitute, without the smallest means of living,—the +Chouette instigated me to do it; but now I +sincerely repent ever having listened to her. I do, indeed. +Ah! would you but generously save me from the +hands of justice, I would promise you most solemnly to +forsake all such evil practices for the future."</p> + +<p>"Be satisfied, your life shall be spared; neither will I +deliver you into the hands of the law."</p> + +<p>"Do you, then, pardon me?" exclaimed the Schoolmaster, +as though doubting what he heard. "Can it +be? Can you be so generous as to forgive?"</p> + +<p>"I both judge you and award your sentence," cried +Rodolph, in a solemn tone. "I will not surrender you to +the power of the laws, because they would condemn you +to the galleys or the scaffold; and that must not be. +No, for many reasons. The galleys would but open a +fresh field for the development of your brutal strength +and villainy, which would soon be exercised in endeavouring +to obtain domination over the guilty or unfortunate +beings you would be associated with, to render +yourself a fresh object of horror or of dread; for even +crime has its ambition, and yours has long consisted in +a preëminence in vicious deeds and monstrous vices,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span> +while your iron frame would alike defy the labours of +the oar or the chastisement of those set over you. And +the strongest chains may be broken, the thickest wall +pierced through,—steep ramparts have been scaled before +now,—and you might one day burst your yoke and +be again let loose upon society, like an infuriated beast, +marking your passage with murder and destruction; for +none would be safe from your Herculean strength, or +from the sharpness of your knife; therefore such consequences +must be avoided. But since the galleys might +fail to stop your infamous career, how is society to be +preserved from your brutal violence? The scaffold +comes next in consideration—"</p> + +<p>"It is my life, then, you seek!" cried the ruffian. +"My life! Oh, spare it!"</p> + +<p>"Peace, coward! Hope not that I mean so speedy a +termination to your just punishment. No; your eager +craving after a wretched existence would prevent you +from suffering the agony of anticipated death, and, far +from dwelling upon the scaffold and the block, your +guilty soul would be filled with schemes of escape and +hopes of pardon; neither would you believe you were +truly doomed to die till in the very grasp of the executioner; +and even in that terrible moment it is probable +that, brutalised by terror, you would be a mere mass of +human flesh, offered up by justice as an expiatory offering +to the manes of your victims. That mode of settling +your long and heavy accounts will not half pay the debt. +No; poor, wretched, trembling craven! we must devise a +more terrific method of atonement for you. At the +scaffold, I repeat, you would cling to hope while one +breath remained within you; wretch that you are, you +would dare to hope! you, who have denied all hope and +mercy to so many unhappy beings! No, no! unless you +repent, and that with all your heart, for the misdeeds of +your infamous life, I would (in this world, at least) shut +out from you the faintest glimmer of hope—"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span></p> + +<p>"What man is this? What have I ever done to injure +<i>him?</i>—whence comes he thus to torture me?—where +am I?" asked the Schoolmaster, in almost incoherent +tones, and nearly frantic with terror.</p> + +<p>Rodolph continued:</p> + +<p>"If even you could meet death with a man's courage, +I would not have you ascend the scaffold; for you it +would be merely the arena in which, like many others, +you would make a disgusting display of hardened ferocity; +or, dying as you have lived, exhale your last sigh +with an impious scoff or profane blasphemy. That +must not be permitted. It is a bad example to set before +a gazing crowd the spectacle of a condemned being +making sport of the instrument of death, swaggering +before the executioner, and yielding with an obscene +jest the divine spark infused into man by the breath of +a creating God. To punish the body is easily done; to +save the soul is the great thing to be laboured for and +desired. 'All sin may be forgiven,' said our blessed +Saviour, but from the tribunal to the scaffold the passage +is too short,—time and opportunity are required to +repent and make atonement; this leisure you shall have. +May God grant that you turn it to the right purpose!"</p> + +<p>The Schoolmaster remained utterly bewildered; for +the first time in his life a vague and confused dread of +something more horrible far than death itself crossed his +guilty mind,—he trembled before the suggestions of +his own imagination.</p> + +<p>Rodolph went on:</p> + +<p>"Anselm Duresnel, I will not sentence you to the +galleys, neither shall you die—"</p> + +<p>"Then do you intend sending me to hell? or what are +you going to do with me?"</p> + +<p>"Listen!" said Rodolph, rising from his seat with an +air of menacing authority. "You have wickedly abused +the great bodily strength bestowed upon you,—I will paralyse +that strength; the strongest have trembled before<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span> +you,—I will make you henceforward shrink in the presence +of the weakest of beings. Assassin! murderer! +you have plunged God's creatures into eternal night; +your darkness shall commence even in this life. Now—this +very hour—your punishment shall be proportioned +to your crimes. But," added Rodolph, with an accent +of mournful pity, "the terrible judgment I am about to +pronounce will, at least, leave the future open to your +efforts for pardon and for peace. I should be guilty as +you are were I, in punishing you, to seek only for vengeance, +just as is my right to demand it; far from being +unrelenting as death, your sentence shall bring forth +good fruits for hereafter; far from destroying your soul, +it shall help you to seek its salvation. If, to prevent +you from further violating the commandments of your +Maker, I for ever deprive you of the beauties of this +outer world, if I plunge you into impenetrable darkness, +with no other companion than the remembrance of +your crimes, it is that you may incessantly contemplate +their enormity. Yes, separated for ever from this external +world, your thoughts must needs revert to yourself, +and your vision dwell internally upon the bygone scenes +of your ill-spent life; and I am not without hope that +such a mental and constantly presented picture will send +the blush of shame even upon your hardened features, +that your soul, deadened as it now is to every good and +holy impulse, will become softened and tender by repentance. +Your language, too, will be changed, and good and +prayerful words take place of those daring and blasphemous +expressions which now disgrace your lips. You are +brutal and overbearing, because you are strong; you will +become mild and gentle when you are deprived of that +strength. Now your heart scoffs at the very mention of +repentance, but the day will come when, bowed to the +earth with deep contrition, you will bewail your victims +in dust and ashes. You have degraded the intelligence +placed within you by a supreme power,—you have reduced<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span> +it to the brutal instincts of rapine and murder; +from a man formed after the image of his Creator, you +have made yourself a beast of prey: one day, as I trust +and believe, that intelligence will be purified by remorse +and rendered again guiltless through divine expiation. +You, more inhuman than the beast which perisheth, +have trampled on the tender feelings by which even animals +are actuated,—you have been the destroyer of your +partner and your offspring. After a long life, entirely +devoted to the expiation of your crimes, you may venture +to implore of the Almighty the great though unmerited +happiness of obtaining the pardon of your wife and +son, and dying in their presence."</p> + +<p>As Rodolph uttered these last words his voice trembled +with emotion, and he was obliged to conclude.</p> + +<p>The Schoolmaster's terrors had, during this long discourse, +entirely yielded to an opinion that he was only +to be subjected to a long lecture on morality, and so +forth, and then discharged upon his own promise of +amendment; for the many mysterious words uttered by +Rodolph he looked upon as mere vague expressions intended +to alarm him,—nothing more. Still further +reassured by the mild tone in which Rodolph had addressed +him, the ruffian assumed his usually insolent air +and manner as he said, bursting into a loud and vulgar +laugh:</p> + +<p>"Well done, upon my word! A very good sermon, +and very well spoken! Only we must recollect where +we leave off in our moral catechism, that we may begin +all right next lesson day. Come, let us have something +lively now. What do you say, master; will you guess a +charade or two, just to enliven us a bit?"</p> + +<p>Instead of replying, Rodolph addressed the black +doctor:</p> + +<p>"Proceed, David! And if I do wrong, may the +Almighty punish me alone!"</p> + +<p>The negro rang; two men entered. David pointed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span> +to a side door, which opened into an adjoining +closet.</p> + +<p>The chair in which the Schoolmaster remained bound, +so as to be incapable of the smallest movement, was +then rolled into the anteroom.</p> + +<p>"Are you going to murder me, then? Mercy! mercy!" +shrieked the wretched man, as he was being removed.</p> + +<p>"Gag him!" cried the negro, entering the closet.</p> + +<p>Rodolph and the Chourineur were left alone.</p> + +<p>"M. Rodolph," said the Chourineur, pale and trembling, +"M. Rodolph, what is going to be done? I never +felt so frightened. Pray speak; I must be dreaming, +surely. What have they done to the Schoolmaster? +He does not cry out,—all is so silent; it makes me +more fearful still!"</p> + +<p>At this moment David issued from the cabinet; his +complexion had that livid hue peculiar to the negro +countenance, while his lips were ashy pale.</p> + +<p>The men who had conveyed the Schoolmaster into the +closet now replaced him, still bound in his chair, on the +spot he had previously occupied in Rodolph's presence.</p> + +<p>"Unbind him, and remove the gag!" exclaimed +David.</p> + +<p>There was a moment of fearful silence while the two +attendants relieved the Schoolmaster of his gag and untied +the cords which bound him to the chair. As the +last ligature gave way, he sprang up, his hideous countenance +expressing rage, horror, and alarm. He advanced +one step with extended hands, then, falling back +into the chair, he uttered a cry of unspeakable agony, +and, raising his hands towards the ceiling, exclaimed, +with maddened fury:</p> + +<p>"Blind, by heaven!"</p> + +<p>"Give him this pocketbook, David," said Rodolph.</p> + +<p>The negro placed a small pocketbook in the trembling +hands of the Schoolmaster.</p> + +<p>"You will find in that pocketbook wherewithal to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span> +provide yourself with a home and the means of living +for the remainder of your days. Go, seek out some safe +and solitary dwelling, where, by humble repentance, you +may seek to propitiate an offended God! You are free! +Go and repent; the Lord is merciful, and his ears are +ever open to such as truly repent."</p> + +<p>"Blind! quite blind!" repeated the Schoolmaster, +mechanically grasping the pocketbook.</p> + +<p>"Open the doors,—let him depart!" said Rodolph.</p> + +<p>"Blind! blind!" repeated the bewildered and discomfited +ruffian.</p> + +<p>"You are free; you have the means of providing for +yourself; begone!"</p> + +<p>"And whither am I to go?" exclaimed he, with the +most unbounded rage. "You have taken away my +sight; how, then, do I know in which direction to go? +Call you not this a crime thus to abuse your power over +one unhappily in your hands? Thus to—"</p> + +<p>"To abuse my power!" repeated Rodolph, in a solemn +voice. "And how have you employed the power granted +to you? How used <i>your</i> superior strength?"</p> + +<p>"O Death! how gladly would I now accept you!" +cried the wretched man. "To be henceforward at every +one's mercy,—to fear the weakest, the smallest object!—a +child might now master me! Gracious God! what +will become of me?"</p> + +<p>"You have plenty of money."</p> + +<p>"It will be taken from me!" cried the ruffian.</p> + +<p>"Mark those words,—'It will be taken from me!' +See how they fill you with fear and dread! You have +plundered so many, unmindful of their helpless, destitute +condition,—begone!"</p> + +<p>"For the love of God," cried the Schoolmaster, in a +suppliant tone, "let some person lead me forth! What +will become of me in the streets? Oh, in mercy kill +me! take my miserable life! but do not turn me out +thus wretched, thus helpless! Kill, for pity's sake, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span> +save me from being crushed beneath the first vehicle I +encounter!"</p> + +<p>"No! Live and repent."</p> + +<p>"Repent!" shouted the Schoolmaster, in a fearful +voice. "Never! I will live for vengeance,—for deep +and fearful vengeance!" And again he threw himself +from the chair, holding his clenched fists in a menacing +attitude towards the ceiling, as though calling upon +Heaven to witness the fixedness of his resolve. In an +instant his step faltered; he again hesitated, as though +fearful of a thousand dangers.</p> + +<p>"Alas! alas! I cannot proceed,—I dare not move! +And I, lately so strong and so dreaded by all,—look at +me now! Yet no one pities me,—no one cares for me,—no +hand is stretched out to help the wretched blind +upon his lonely way!"</p> + +<p>It is impossible to express the stupefaction and alarm +expressed by the countenance of the Chourineur during +this terrible scene. His rough features exhibited the +deepest compassion for his fallen foe, and approaching +Rodolph, he said, in a low tone:</p> + +<p>"M. Rodolph, he was an accomplished villain, and +has only got what he richly deserves; he wanted to +murder me a little while ago, too. But he is now blind,—he +does not even know how to find his way out of +the house, and he may be crushed to death in the +streets; may I lead him to some safe place, where, at +least, he may remain quiet for a time?"</p> + +<p>"Nobly said!" replied Rodolph, kindly pressing the +hand of the Chourineur. "Go, my worthy fellow! Go +with him, by all means!"</p> + +<p>The Chourineur approached the Schoolmaster and laid +his hand on his shoulder; the miserable villain started.</p> + +<p>"Who touches me?" asked he, in a husky voice.</p> + +<p>"It is I."</p> + +<p>"I? Who? Who are you,—friend or foe?"</p> + +<p>"The Chourineur."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span></p> + +<p>"And you have come to avenge yourself now you find +I am incapable of protecting myself, I suppose?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing of the sort. Here, take my arm; you cannot +find the way out by yourself; let me lead you—there—"</p> + +<p>"You, Chourineur? You!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, for all you doubt it; but you vex me by not +seeming to like my help. Come, hold tight by me; I +will see you all right before I leave you."</p> + +<p>"Are you quite sure you do not mean me some harm? +that you are only laying a trap to ensnare me?"</p> + +<p>"I am not such a scoundrel as to take advantage of +your misfortune. But let us begone. Come on, old +fellow; it will be daylight directly."</p> + +<p>"Day! which I shall never more behold! Day and +night to me are henceforward all the same!" exclaimed +the Schoolmaster, in such piteous tones that Rodolph, +unable longer to endure this scene, abruptly retired, +followed by David, who first dismissed his two assistants.</p> + +<p>The Chourineur and the Schoolmaster remained alone. +After a lengthened silence the latter spoke first, by inquiring +whether it were really true that the pocketbook +presented to him contained money.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I can positively speak to its containing five +thousand francs," replied the Chourineur, "since I put +them in it with my own hand. With that sum you +could easily place yourself to board with some quiet, +good sort of people, who would look to you,—in some +retired spot in the country, where you might pass your +days happily. Or would you like me to take you to the +ogress's?"</p> + +<p>"She! she would not leave me a rap."</p> + +<p>"Well, then, will you go to Bras Rouge?"</p> + +<p>"No, no! He would poison me first and rob me +afterwards."</p> + +<p>"Well, then, where shall I take you?"</p> + +<p>"I know not. Happily for both, you are no thief,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span> +Chourineur. Here, take my pocketbook, and conceal it +carefully in my waistcoat, that La Chouette may not see +it; she would plunder me of every sou."</p> + +<p>"Oh, bless you! the Chouette is quite safe just now; +she lies in the Hôpital Beaujon. While I was struggling +with you both to-night I happened to dislocate her +leg, so she's obliged to lie up for the present."</p> + +<p>"But what, in heaven's name, shall I do with this +black curtain continually before my eyes? In vain I +try to push it away; it is still there, fixed, immovable; +and on its surface I see the pale, ghastly features of +those—"</p> + +<p>He shuddered, and said in a low, hoarse voice, "Chourineur, +did I quite do for that man last night?"</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p>"So much the better," observed the robber. And +then, after some minutes' silence, he exclaimed, under +a fresh impulse of ungovernable fury, "And it is you I +have to thank for all this! Rascal! scoundrel! I hate +you! But for you, I should have 'stiffened' my man and +walked off with his money. My very blindness I owe to +you; my curses upon you for your meddling interference! +But through you I should have had my blessed +eyes to see my own way with. How do I know what +devil's trick you are planning at this moment?"</p> + +<p>"Try to forget all that is past,—it can't be helped +now; and do not put yourself in such a terrible way,—it +is really very bad for you. Come, come along—now, +no nonsense—will you? yes or no?—because I am +regularly done up, and must get a short snooze somewhere. +I can tell you I have had a bellyful of such +doings, and to-morrow I shall get back to my timber-pile, +and earn an honest dinner before I eat it. I am +only waiting to take you wherever you decide upon +going, and then on goes my nightcap and I goes to +sleep."</p> + +<p>"But how can I tell you where to take me, when I do<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span> +not know myself? My lodging—No, no, that will not +do; I should be obliged to tell—"</p> + +<p>"Well, then, hark ye. Will you, for a day or two, +make shift with my crib? I may meet with some decent +sort of people, who, not knowing who you really +are, would receive you as a boarder; and we might say +you were a confirmed invalid, and required great care +and perfect retirement. Now I think of it, there is a +person of my acquaintance, living at Port St. Nicolas, +has a mother, a very worthy woman, but in humble +circumstances, residing at St. Mandé: very likely she +would be glad to take charge of you. What do you say,—will +you come or not?"</p> + +<p>"One may trust you, Chourineur. I am not at all +fearful of going, money and all, to your place; happily +you have kept yourself honest, amidst all the evil example +others have set you."</p> + +<p>"Ay, and even bore the taunts and jests you used +to heap upon me, because I would not turn prig like +yourself."</p> + +<p>"Alas! who could foresee?"</p> + +<p>"Now, you see, if I had listened to you, instead of +trying to be of real service to you, I should clean you +out of all your cash."</p> + +<p>"True, true. But you are a downright good fellow, +and have neither malice nor hatred in your heart," said +the unhappy Schoolmaster, in a tone of deep dejection +and humility. "You are a vast deal better to me +than, I fear, I should have been to you under the same +circumstances."</p> + +<p>"I believe you, too. Why, M. Rodolph himself told +me I had both heart and honour."</p> + +<p>"But who the devil is this M. Rodolph?" exclaimed +the Schoolmaster, breaking out fresh at the mention +of his name. "He is not a man; he is a monster,—a +fiend,—a—"</p> + +<p>"Hold, hold!" cried the Chourineur. "Now you are<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span> +going to have another fit, which is bad for you and very +disagreeable to me, because it makes you abuse my +friends. Come, are you ready? Shall we set forth on +our journey?"</p> + +<p>"We are going to your lodging, are we not, Chourineur?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, if you are agreeable."</p> + +<p>"And you swear to me that you bear me no ill-will +for the events of the last twelve hours?"</p> + +<p>"Swear it? Of course I swear it. Why, I have no +ill-will against you nor anybody."</p> + +<p>"And you are certain that he (the man, I mean) is +not dead?"</p> + +<p>"I am as sure of it as that I am living myself."</p> + +<p>"That will at least give me one crime the less to +answer for. If they only knew—And that little old +man of the Rue du Roule—and that woman of the +Canal St. Martin—But it is useless thinking of all +those things now; I have enough to occupy my thoughts +without trying to recall past misfortunes. Blind! +blind!" repeated the miserable wretch, as, leaning on +the arm of the Chourineur, he slowly took his departure +from the house in the Allée des Veuves.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span></p> +<h3>CHAPTER XVIII.</h3> + +<h5>THE ISLE-ADAM.</h5> + + +<p>A month has elapsed since the occurrence of the +events we have just narrated. We now conduct the +reader into the little town of the Isle-Adam, situated in +a delightful locality on the banks of the Oise, and at +the foot of a forest.</p> + +<p>The least things become great events in the country; +and so the idlers of Isle-Adam, who were on the morning +before us walking in the square before the church, +were very anxiously bestirring themselves to learn when +the individual would arrive who had recently become the +purchaser of the most eligible premises for a butcher in +that town, and which were exactly opposite to the church.</p> + +<p>One of those idlers, more inquisitive than his companions, +went and asked the butcher-boy, who, with a merry +face and active hands, was very busy in completing the +arrangements of the shop. This lad replied that he did +not know who was the new proprietor, for he had bought +the property through an agent. At this moment two +persons, who had come from Paris in a cabriolet, +alighted at the door of the shop.</p> + +<p>The one was Murphy, quite cured of his wound, and +the other the Chourineur. At the risk of repeating a +vulgar saying, we will assert that the impression produced +by dress is so powerful, that the guest of the +"cribs" of the Cité was hardly to be recognised in his +present attire. His countenance had undergone the +same change; he had put off, with his rags, his savage,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span> +coarse, and vulgar air; and to see him walk with both +his hands in the pockets of his long and warm coat of +dark broadcloth, he might have been taken for one +of the most inoffensive citizens in the world.</p> + +<p>"'Faith, my fine fellow, the way was long and the +cold excessive; were they not?"</p> + +<p>"Why, I really did not perceive it, M. Murphy; I am +too happy, and joy keeps one warm. Besides, when I +say happy, why—"</p> + +<p>"What?"</p> + +<p>"Yesterday you came to seek for me at the Port St. +Nicolas, where I was unloading as hard as I could to +keep myself warm. I had not seen you since the night +when the white-haired negro had put out the Schoolmaster's +eyes. By Jove! it quite shook me, that affair +did. And M. Rodolph, what a countenance!—he who +looked so mild and gentle! I was quite frightened at +that moment; I was, indeed—"</p> + +<p>"Well, what then?"</p> + +<p>"You said to me, 'Good day, Chourineur.' 'Good +day, M. Murphy,' says I. 'What, you are up again, I +see! So much the better,—so much the better. And +M. Rodolph?' 'He was obliged to leave Paris some +days after the affair of the Allée des Veuves, and he +forgot you, my man.' 'Well, M. Murphy, I can only +say that if M. Rodolph has forgotten me, why—I shall +be very sorry for it, that's all.' 'I meant to say, my +good fellow, that he had forgotten to recompense your +services, but that he should always remember them.' +So, M. Murphy, those words cheered me up again directly. +<i>Tonnerre!</i> I—I shall never forget him. He +told me I had heart and honour,—that's enough."</p> + +<p>"Unfortunately, my lad, monseigneur left without +giving any orders about you. I have nothing but what +monseigneur gives me, and I am unable to repay as I +could wish all that I owe you personally."</p> + +<p>"Come, come, M. Murphy, you are jesting with me."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span></p> + +<p>"But why the devil did you not come back again to +the Allée des Veuves after that fatal night? Then +monseigneur would not have left without thinking of +you."</p> + +<p>"Why, M. Rodolph did not tell me to do so, and I +thought that perhaps he had no further occasion for +me."</p> + +<p>"But you might have supposed that he would, at +least, desire to express his gratitude to you."</p> + +<p>"Did you not tell me that M. Rodolph has not forgotten +me, M. Murphy?"</p> + +<p>"Well, well, don't let us say another word about +it; only I have had a great deal of trouble to find +you out. You do not now go to the ogress's?"</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p>"Why not?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, from some foolish notions I have had."</p> + +<p>"Very well. But to return to what you were telling +me—"</p> + +<p>"To what, M. Murphy?"</p> + +<p>"You told me, I am glad I have found you, and +still happy, perhaps—"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, M. Murphy! Why, you see, when you +came to where I was at work at the timber-yard, you +said, 'My lad, I am not rich, but I can procure you a +situation where your work will be easier than on the +Quai, and where you will gain four francs a day.' Four +francs a day! Vive la Charte! I could not believe it; +'twas the pay of an adjutant sub-officer! I replied, +'That's the very thing for me, M. Murphy!' but you +said then that I must not look so like a beggar, as that +would frighten the employer to whom you would take +me. I answered, 'I have not the means of dressing +otherwise.' You said to me, 'Come to the Temple.' I +followed you. I chose the most spicy attire that Mother +Hubart had,—you advanced me the money to pay her,—and +in a quarter of an hour I was as smart as a landlord<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span> +or a dentist. You appointed me to meet you this +morning at the Porte St. Denis, at daybreak; I found +you there in a cab, and here we are."</p> + +<p>"Well, do you find anything to regret in all this?"</p> + +<p>"Why, I'll tell you, M. Murphy. You see, to be +dressed in this way spoils a fellow; and so, you see, +when I put on again my old smock-frock and trousers, I +sha'n't like it. And then, to gain four francs a day,—I, +who never earned but two,—and that all at once! +why, I seem to have made too great a start all of a +sudden, and that it cannot last. I would rather sleep +all my life on the wretched straw bed in my cock-loft, +than sleep five or six nights only in a good bed. That's +my view of the thing."</p> + +<p>"And you are by no means peculiar in your view; +but the best thing is to sleep always in a good bed."</p> + +<p>"And no mistake; it is better to have a bellyful of +victuals every day than to starve with hunger. Ah! +here is a butchery here," said the Chourineur, as he +listened to the blows of the chopper which the boy was +using, and observed the quarters of beef through the +curtains.</p> + +<p>"Yes, my lad; it belongs to a friend of mine. +Would you like to see it whilst the horse just recovers +his wind?"</p> + +<p>"I really should, for it reminds me of my boyish +days, if it was only when I had Montfauçon for a +slaughter-house and broken-down horses for cattle. It +is droll, but if I had the means, a butcher's is the trade +in which I should set up, for I like it. To go on a +good nag to buy cattle at fairs,—to return home to +one's own fireside, to warm yourself if cold, or dry +yourself if wet,—to find your housekeeper, or a good, +jolly, plump wife, cheerful and pleasant, with a parcel +of children to feel in your pockets to see if you have +brought them home anything! And then, in the +morning, in the slaughter-house, to seize an ox by the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span> +horns, particularly when he's fierce,—<i>nom de nom!</i> he +must be fierce!—then to put on the ring, to cleave +him down, cut him up, dress him,—<i>Tonnerre!</i> that +would have been my ambition, as it was the Goualeuse's +to suck barley-sugar when she was a little 'un. +By the way, that poor girl, M. Murphy,—not seeing +her any more at the ogress's, I supposed that M. +Rodolph had taken her away from there. That's a +good action, M. Murphy. Poor child! she never liked +to do wrong,—she was so young! And then the habit! +Ah, M. Rodolph has behaved quite right!"</p> + +<p>"I am of your opinion. But will you come into the +shop until our horse has rested awhile?"</p> + +<p>The Chourineur and Murphy entered the shop, and +then went to see the yard, where three splendid oxen +and a score of sheep were fastened up; they then visited +the stable, the chaise-house, the slaughter-house, the +lofts, and the out-buildings of the house, which were +all in excellent order, and kept with a cleanliness and +care which bespoke regularity and easy circumstances.</p> + +<p>When they had seen all but the up-stairs, Murphy +said:</p> + +<p>"You must own that my friend is a lucky fellow. +This house and property are his, without counting a +thousand crowns in hand to carry on his business with; +and he is, besides, only thirty-eight, strong as a bull, +with an iron constitution, and very fond of his business. +The industrious and civil journeyman that you +saw in the shop supplies his place, with much capability, +when he goes to the fairs to purchase cattle. +I say again, is he not a lucky fellow?"</p> + +<p>"He is, indeed, M. Murphy. But, you see, there +are lucky and unlucky people; and when I think that +I am going to gain four francs a day, and know how +many there are who only earn the half, or even +less—"</p> + +<p>"Will you come up and see the rest of the house?"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span></p> + +<p>"With all my heart, M. Murphy."</p> + +<p>"The person who is about to employ you is up-stairs."</p> + +<p>"The person who is going to employ me?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Why, then, didn't you tell me that before?"</p> + +<p>"I'll tell you—"</p> + +<p>"One moment," said the Chourineur, with a downcast +and embarrassed air, taking Murphy by the arm; +"listen whilst I say a word to you, which perhaps +M. Rodolph did not tell you, but which I ought not to +conceal from the master who employs me, because, +if he is offended by it—why then, you see—why, +afterwards—"</p> + +<p>"What do you mean to say?"</p> + +<p>"I mean to say—"</p> + +<p>"Well, what?"</p> + +<p>"That I am a convict, who has served his time,—that +I have been at the Bagne," said Chourineur, in +a low voice.</p> + +<p>"Indeed!" replied Murphy.</p> + +<p>"But I never did wrong to any one," exclaimed +the Chourineur; "and I would sooner die of hunger +than rob; but I have done worse than rob," he added, +bending his head down; "I have killed my fellow +creature in a passion. But that is not all," he continued, +after a moment's pause. "I will tell everything +to my employer; I would rather be refused at first +than detected afterwards. You know him, and if you +think he would refuse me, why, spare me the refusal, +and I will go as I came."</p> + +<p>"Come along with me," said Murphy.</p> + +<p>The Chourineur followed Murphy up the staircase; +a door opened, and they were both in the presence of +Rodolph.</p> + +<p>"My good Murphy," said he, "leave us together +awhile."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span></p> +<h3>CHAPTER XIX.</h3> + +<h5>RECOMPENSE.</h5> + + +<p>"Vive la Charte!" cried the Chourineur. "How +precious glad I am to see you again, M. Rodolph—or, +rather, my lord!"</p> + +<p>"Good day, my excellent friend. I am equally glad +to see you."</p> + +<p>"Oh, what a joker M. Murphy is! He told me you +had gone away. But stay, my lord—"</p> + +<p>"Call me M. Rodolph; I like that best."</p> + +<p>"Well, then, M. Rodolph, I have to ask your pardon +for not having been to see you after the night with the +Schoolmaster. I see now that I was guilty of a great +rudeness; but I do not suppose that you had any desire +to see me?"</p> + +<p>"I forgive you," said Rodolph, smiling; and then +added, "Murphy has shown you all over the house?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, M. Rodolph; and a fine house and fine shop it +is,—all so neat and so comfortable! Talking of comfortable, +I am the man that will be so, M. Rodolph! M. +Murphy is going to put me in the way of earning four +francs a day,—yes, four francs a day!"</p> + +<p>"I have something better than that to propose to you, +my good fellow."</p> + +<p>"Better! It's unpolite to contradict you, but I think +that would be difficult. Four francs a day!"</p> + +<p>"I tell you I have something better: for this house, +all that it contains, the shop, and a thousand crowns +which are in this pocketbook,—all are yours."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span></p> + +<p>The Chourineur smiled with a stupid air, flattened his +long-napped hat between his knees, and squeezed it convulsively, +evidently not understanding what Rodolph said +to him, although his language was plain enough.</p> + +<p>Rodolph, with much kindness, said to him:</p> + +<p>"I can imagine your surprise; but I again repeat, this +house and this money are yours,—they are your property."</p> + +<p>The Chourineur became purple, passed his horny hand +over his brow, which was bathed with perspiration, and +stammered out, in a faltering voice:</p> + +<p>"What!—eh!—that is—indeed—my property!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, your property; for I bestow it all upon you. +Do you understand? I give it to you."</p> + +<p>The Chourineur rocked backwards and forwards on his +chair, scratched his head, coughed, looked down on the +ground, and made no reply. He felt that the thread of +his ideas had escaped him. He heard quite well what +Rodolph said to him, and that was the very reason he +could not credit what he heard. Between the depth of +misery, the degradation in which he had always existed, +and the position in which Rodolph now placed him, there +was an abyss so wide that the service he had rendered to +Rodolph, important as it was, could not fill it up.</p> + +<p>"Does what I give you, then, seem beyond your +hopes?" inquired Rodolph.</p> + +<p>"My lord," said the Chourineur, starting up suddenly, +"you offer me this house and a great deal of money,—to +tempt me; but I cannot take them; I never robbed in +my life. It is, perhaps, to kill; but I have too often +dreamed of the sergeant," added he, in a hoarse tone.</p> + +<p>"Oh, the unfortunate!" exclaimed Rodolph, with bitterness. +"The compassion evinced for them is so rare, that +they can only explain liberality as a temptation to +crime!"</p> + +<p>Then addressing the Chourineur, in a voice full of +gentleness:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You judge me wrong,—you mistake: I shall require +from you nothing but what is honourable. What I give +you, I give because you have deserved it."</p> + +<p>"I," said the Chourineur, whose embarrassments recommenced, +"I deserve it! How?"</p> + +<p>"I will tell you. Abandoned from your infancy, +without any knowledge of right or wrong, left to your +natural instinct, shut up for fifteen years in the Bagne +with the most desperate villains, assailed by want and +wretchedness, compelled by your own disgrace, and the +opinion of honest men, to continue to haunt the low dens +infested by the vilest malefactors, you have not only +remained honest, but remorse for your crime has outlived +the expiation which human justice had inflicted +upon you."</p> + +<p>This simple and noble language was a new source +of astonishment for the Chourineur; he contemplated +Rodolph with respect, mingled with fear and gratitude, +but was still unable to convince himself that all he +heard was reality.</p> + +<p>"What, M. Rodolph, because you beat me, because, +thinking you a workman, like myself, because you spoke +'slang' as if you had learned it from the cradle, I told +you my history over two bottles of wine, and afterwards +I saved you from being drowned,—you give me a house—money—I +shall be master! Say really, M. Rodolph, +once more, is it possible?"</p> + +<p>"Believing me like yourself, you told me your history +naturally and without concealment, without withholding +either what was culpable or generous. I have judged +you, and judged you well, and I have resolved to recompense +you."</p> + +<p>"But, M. Rodolph, it ought not to be; there are poor +labourers who have been honest all their lives, and +who—"</p> + +<p>"I know it, and it may be I have done for many +others more than I am doing for you; but, if the man<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span> +who lives honestly in the midst of honest men, encouraged +by their esteem, deserves assistance and support, +he who, in spite of the aversion of good men, remains +honest amidst the most infamous associates on earth,—he, +too, deserves assistance and support. This is not +all; you saved my life, you saved the life of +Murphy, the dearest friend I have; and what I do +for you is as much the dictate of personal gratitude +as it is the desire to withdraw from pollution a good +and generous nature, which has been perverted, but not +destroyed. And that is not all."</p> + +<p>"What else have I done, M. Rodolph?"</p> + +<p>Rodolph took his hand, and, shaking it heartily, +said:</p> + +<p>"Filled with commiseration for the mischief which +had befallen the very man who had tried just before +to kill you, you even gave him an asylum in your +humble dwelling,—No. 9, close to Notre Dame."</p> + +<p>"You knew, then, where I lived, M. Rodolph?"</p> + +<p>"If you forget the services you have done to me, I do +not. When you left my house you were followed, +and were seen to enter there with the Schoolmaster."</p> + +<p>"But M. Murphy told me that you did not know +where I lived, M. Rodolph."</p> + +<p>"I was desirous of trying you still further; I wished +to know if you had disinterestedness in your generosity, +and I found that, after your courageous conduct, you +returned to your hard daily labour, asking nothing, +hoping for nothing, not even uttering a word of reproach +for the apparent ingratitude with which I repaid +your services; and when Murphy yesterday proposed to +you employment a little more profitable than that of +your habitual toil, you accepted it with joy, with +gratitude."</p> + +<p>"Why, M. Rodolph, do you see, sir, four francs a day +are always four francs a day. As to the service I rendered +you, why, it is rather I who ought to thank you."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span></p> + +<p>"How so?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, M. Rodolph," he added, with a saddened +air, "I do not forget that, since I knew you, it was you +who said to me those two words,'You have both heart +and honour!' It is astonishing how I have thought of +that. They are only two little words, and yet those two +words had that effect. But, in truth, sow two small +grains of anything in the soil, and they will put forth +shoots."</p> + +<p>This comparison, just and almost poetical as it was, +struck Rodolph. In sooth, two words, but two magic +words for the heart that understood them, had almost +suddenly developed the generous instincts which were +inherent in this energetic nature.</p> + +<p>"You placed the Schoolmaster at St. Mandé?" said +Rodolph.</p> + +<p>"Yes, M. Rodolph. He made me change his notes +for gold, and buy a belt, which I sewed round his body, +and in which I put his 'mopuses;' and then, good day! +He boards for thirty sous a day with good people, to +whom that sum is of much service. When I have time +to leave my wood-piles, I shall go and see how he gets +on."</p> + +<p>"Your wood-piles! You forget your shop, and that +you are here at home!"</p> + +<p>"Come, M. Rodolph, do not amuse yourself by jesting +with a poor devil like me; you have had your fun in +'proving' me, as you term it. My house and my shop are +songs to the same tune. You said to yourself,'Let us +see if this Chourineur is such a gulpin as to believe that +I will make him such a present.' Enough, enough, M. +Rodolph; you are a wag, and there's an end of the +matter."</p> + +<p>And he laughed long, loud, and heartily.</p> + +<p>"But, once more, believe—"</p> + +<p>"If I were to believe you, then you would say, 'Poor +Chourineur! go! you are a trouble to me now.'"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span></p> + +<p>Rodolph began to be really troubled how to convince +the Chourineur, and said in a solemn, impressive, and +almost severe tone:</p> + +<p>"I never make sport of the gratitude and sympathy +with which noble conduct inspires me. I have said this +house and this establishment are yours, if they suit you, +for the bargain is conditional. I swear to you, on my +honour, all this belongs to you; and I make you a +present of it, for the reasons I have already given."</p> + +<p>The dignified and firm tone, and the serious expression +of the features of Rodolph, at length convinced the +Chourineur. For some moments he looked at his protector +in silence, and then said, in a voice of deep +emotion:</p> + +<p>"I believe you, my lord, and I thank you much. A +poor man like me cannot make fine speeches, but once +more, indeed, on my word, I thank you very much. All +I can say is, that I will never refuse assistance to the +unhappy; because Hunger and Misery are ogresses of the +same sort as those who laid hands on the poor Goualeuse; +and, once in that sink, it is not every one that has the +fist strong enough to pull you out again."</p> + +<p>"My worthy fellow, you cannot prove your gratitude +more than in speaking to me thus."</p> + +<p>"So much the better, my lord; for else I should have +a hard job to prove it."</p> + +<p>"Come, now, let us visit your house; my good old +Murphy has had the pleasure, and I should like it +also."</p> + +<p>Rodolph and the Chourineur came down-stairs. At +the moment they reached the yard, the shopman, addressing +the Chourineur, said to him, respectfully:</p> + +<p>"Since you, sir, are to be my master, I beg to tell you +that our custom is capital. We have no more cutlets or +legs of mutton left, and we must kill a sheep or two +directly."</p> + +<p>"<i>Parbleu!</i>" said Rodolph to the Chourineur; "here<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span> +is a capital opportunity for exercising your skill. I +should like to have the first sample,—the open air has +given me an appetite, and I will taste your cutlets."</p> + +<p>"You are very kind, M. Rodolph," said the Chourineur, +in a cheerful voice; "you flatter me, but I will do +my best."</p> + +<p>"Shall I bring two sheep to the slaughter-house, master?" +asked the journeyman.</p> + +<p>"Yes; and bring a well-sharpened knife, not too thin +in the blade, and strong in the back."</p> + +<p>"I have just what you want, master. There, you +could shave with it. Take it—"</p> + +<p>"<i>Tonnerre</i>, M. Rodolph!" said the Chourineur, taking +off his upper coat with haste, and turning up his shirtsleeves, +which displayed a pair of arms like a prize-fighter's; +"this reminds me of my boyish days and the +slaughter-house. You shall see how I handle a knife! +<i>Nom de nom!</i> I wish I was at it. The knife, lad! the +knife! That's it; I see you know your trade. This is +a blade! Who will have it? <i>Tonnerre!</i> with a tool like +this I could face a wild bull."</p> + +<p>And the Chourineur brandished his knife,—his eyes +began to fill with blood; the beast was regaining the +mastery; the instinct and thirst for blood reappeared in +all the fullness of their fearful predominance.</p> + +<p>The butchery was in the yard,—a vaulted, dark place, +paved with stones, and lighted by a small, narrow +opening at the top.</p> + +<p>The man drove one of the sheep to the door.</p> + +<p>"Shall I fasten him to the ring, master?"</p> + +<p>"Fasten him! <i>Tonnerre!</i> and I with my knees at liberty? +Oh, no; I will hold him here as fast as if in a +vice. Give me the beast, and go back to the shop."</p> + +<p>The journeyman obeyed. Rodolph was left alone with +the Chourineur, and watched him attentively, almost +anxiously.</p> + +<p>"Now, then, to work!" said he.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, I sha'n't be long. <i>Tonnerre!</i> you shall see how +I handle a knife! My hands burn, and I have a singing +in my ears; my temples beat, as they used when I was +going to 'see red.' Come here, thou—Ah, <i>Madelon!</i> let +me stab you dead!"</p> + +<p>Then his eyes sparkled with a fierce delight, and, no +longer conscious of the presence of Rodolph, the Chourineur +lifted the sheep without an effort; with one spring +he carried it off as a wolf would do, bounding towards +his lair with his prey.</p> + +<p>Rodolph followed him, and leaned on one of the wings +of the door, which he closed. The butchery was dark; +one strong ray of light, falling straight down, lighted up, +<i>à la Rembrandt</i>, the rugged features of the Chourineur, +his light hair, and his red whiskers. Stooping low, holding +in his teeth a long knife, which glittered in the +"darkness visible," he drew the sheep between his legs, +and, when he had adjusted it, took it by the head, +stretched out its neck, and cut its throat.</p> + +<p>At the instant when the sheep felt the keen blade, it +gave one gentle, low, and pitiful bleat, and, raising its +dying eyes to the Chourineur, two spurts of blood jetted +forth into the face of its slayer. The cry, the look, the +blood that spouted out, made a fearful impression on +the man. His knife fell from his hands; his features +grew livid, contracted, and horrible, beneath the blood +that covered them; his eyes expanded, his hair stiffened; +and then retreating, with a gesture of horror, +he cried, in a suffocating voice, "Oh, the sergeant! the +sergeant!"</p> + +<p>Rodolph hastened to him: "Recover yourself, my +good fellow!"</p> + +<p>"There! there! the sergeant!" repeated the Chourineur, +retreating step by step, with his eyes fixed and +haggard, and pointing with his finger as if at some invisible +phantom. Then uttering a fearful cry, as if the +spectre had touched him, he rushed to the bottom of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span> +butchery, into the darkest corner; and there, with his +face, breast, and arms against the wall, as if he would +break through it to escape from so horrible a vision, he +repeated, in a hollow and convulsive tone, "Oh, the +sergeant! the sergeant! the sergeant!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span></p> +<h3>CHAPTER XX.</h3> + +<h5>THE DEPARTURE.</h5> + + +<p>Thanks to the care of Murphy and Rodolph, who with +difficulty calmed his agitation, the Chourineur was completely +restored to himself, and was alone with the prince +in one of the rooms on the first floor in the house.</p> + +<p>"My lord," said he, despondingly, "you have been +very kind, indeed, to me; but, hear me: I would rather +be a thousand times more wretched than I have yet been +than become a butcher."</p> + +<p>"Yet reflect a little."</p> + +<p>"Why, my lord, when I heard the cry of the poor +animal which could not make the slightest resistance; +when I felt its blood spring into my face,—hot blood, +which seemed as coming from a living thing; you cannot +imagine what I felt; then I had my dream all over +again,—the sergeant and those poor young fellows whom +I cut and stabbed, who made no defence, and died giving +me a look so gentle, so gentle that they seemed as if they +pitied me! My lord, it would drive me mad!"</p> + +<p>And the poor fellow hid his face in his hands with a +convulsive start.</p> + +<p>"Come, come, calm yourself."</p> + +<p>"Excuse me, my lord; but just now the sight of blood—of +a knife—I could not bear; at every instant it +would renew those dreams which I was beginning to +forget. To have every day my hands and feet in blood, +to cut the throats of poor animals who do not so much +as make a struggle—oh, no, no! I could not for the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span> +world. I would rather lose my eyesight at once, like +the Schoolmaster, than be compelled to follow such a +business."</p> + +<p>It is impossible to depict the energetic gesture, action, +and countenance of the Chourineur, as he thus expressed +himself. Rodolph was deeply affected by it, and satisfied +with the horrible effect which the sight of the blood +had caused to his protégé.</p> + +<p>For a moment the savage feeling, the bloodthirsty instinct, +had overcome the human being in the Chourineur; +but remorse eventually overwhelmed the instinct. That +was as it should be, and it was a fine lesson.</p> + +<p>"Forgive me, my lord," said the Chourineur, in a faltering +voice; "I make but a bad recompense for all your +kindness to me, but—"</p> + +<p>"Not at all, my good fellow; I told you that our bargain +was conditional. I selected for you the business of +a butcher, because your inclinations and taste seemed to +lie in that direction—"</p> + +<p>"Alas! my lord, that's true; and, had it not been for +what you know of, that would have been the trade of all +others I should have chosen. I was only saying so to +M. Murphy a little while since."</p> + +<p>"As it was just possible that your taste did not lie +that way, I have thought of another arrangement for you. +A person who has a large tract of property at Algiers +will give me up, for you, one of the extensive farms he +holds in that country. The lands belonging to it are +very fertile, and in full bearing; but I will not conceal +from you, this estate is situated on the boundaries of the +Atlas mountains,—that is, near the outposts, and exposed +to the frequent attacks of the Arabs, and one must be as +much of a soldier as a husbandman: it is, at the same +time, a redoubt and a farm. The man who occupies +this dwelling in the absence of the proprietor will explain +everything to you; they say he is honest and faithful, +and you may retain him there as long as you like.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span> +Once established there, you will not only increase your +means by your labour and ability, but render a real service +to your country by your courage. The colonists +have formed a militia, and the extent of your property, +the number of your tenants who will depend on you, will +make you the chief of a very considerable troop. Headed +by your courage, this band may be extremely useful in +protecting the properties which are throughout the plain. +I repeat to you, that this prospect for you would please +me very much, in spite of, or, rather, in consequence of the +danger; because you could at the same time display your +natural intrepidity; and because, having thus expiated, +and, as I may say, ransomed yourself from a great crime, +your restitution to society would be more noble, more +complete, more heroic, if it were worked out, in the +midst of perils in an unconquered clime, than in the +midst of the quiet inhabitants of a little town. If I did +not first offer you this, it was because it was probable +that the other would suit you, and the latter is so hazardous +that I would not expose you to it without giving you +the choice. There is still time, and, if this proposition +for Algiers does not suit you, tell me so frankly, and we +will look out for something else; if not, to-morrow everything +shall be signed, and you will start for Algiers with +a person commissioned by the former proprietor of the +farm to put you in full possession. Two years' rent will +be due, and paid to you on your arrival. The land yields +three thousand francs a year: work, improve it, be active, +vigilant, and you will soon increase your comfort and +the security of the colonists, whom you will aid and assist +I am sure, for you will always be charitable and generous; +and remember, too, to be rich implies that we +should give much away. Although separated from you, +I shall not lose sight of you, and never forget that I and +my best friend owe our lives to you. The only proof of +attachment and gratitude I ask, is to learn to write and +read as quickly as you can, that you may inform me<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span> +regularly, once a week, what you do, and to address +yourself to me direct if you need any advice or assistance."</p> + +<p>It is useless to describe the extreme delight of the +Chourineur. His disposition, his instincts, are already +sufficiently known to the reader, so that he may understand +that no proposal could have been made more +acceptable to him.</p> + +<p>Next day all was arranged, and the Chourineur set out +for Algiers.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span></p> +<h3>CHAPTER XXI.</h3> + +<h5>RESEARCHES.</h5> + + +<p>The house which Rodolph had in the Allée des Veuves +was not his usual place of residence; he lived in one of +the largest mansions in the Faubourg St. Germain, situated +at the end of the Rue Plumet and the Boulevard +des Invalides.</p> + +<p>To avoid the honours due to his sovereign rank, the +prince had preserved his incognito since his arrival in +Paris, his <i>chargé d'affaires</i> at the court of France having +announced that his master would pay his official and indispensable +visits under the name and title of the Count +de Duren. Thanks to this usage (a very common one in +the Northern courts), a prince may travel with as much +liberty as pleasure, and escape all the bore of ceremonious +introductions. In spite of his slight incognito, Rodolph +kept up in his mansion full state and etiquette. We will +introduce the reader into the hôtel of the Rue Plumet, +the day after the Chourineur had started for Algiers.</p> + +<p>The clock had just struck ten, <span class="smcap">A.M.</span> In the middle of +a large salon on the ground floor and which formed the +antechamber to Rodolph's business chamber, Murphy was +seated before a bureau, and sealing several despatches. +A groom of the chambers, dressed in black and wearing +a silver chain around his neck, opened the folding-doors +and announced:</p> + +<p>"His Excellency M. le Baron de Graün."</p> + +<p>Murphy, without ceasing from his employment, received +the baron with a nod at once cordial and familiar.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span></p> + +<p>"M. le Chargé d'Affaires," said he, smiling, "will +you warm yourself at the fire? I will be at your service +in one moment."</p> + +<p>"M. the Private Secretary, I await your leisure," +replied M. de Graün, gaily, and making, with mock respect, +a low and respectful bow to the worthy squire.</p> + +<p>The baron was about fifty years of age, with hair +gray, thin, and lightly curled and powdered. His chin, +rather projecting, was partly concealed in a high cravat +of white muslin, starched very stiffly, and of unimpeachable +whiteness. His countenance was expressive of +great intelligence, and his carriage was <i>distingué;</i> whilst +beneath his gold spectacles there beamed an eye as +shrewd as it was penetrating. Although it was only ten +o'clock in the morning, M. de Graün wore a black coat,—that +was etiquette,—and a riband, shot with several +bright colours, was suspended from his buttonhole. He +placed his hat on a chair and took his station near the +fireplace, whilst Murphy continued his work.</p> + +<p>"His royal highness, no doubt, was up the best part +of the night, my dear Murphy, for your correspondence +appears considerable?"</p> + +<p>"Monseigneur went to bed at six o'clock this morning. +He wrote, amongst other letters, one of eight pages +to the Grand Marshal, and dictated to me one equally +long to the Chief of the Upper Council, the Prince +Herkhaüsen-Oldenzaal, his royal highness's cousin."</p> + +<p>"You know that his son, Prince Henry, has entered +as lieutenant in the guards in the service of his Majesty +the Emperor of Austria?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; monseigneur recommended him most warmly +as his relation; and he really is a fine, excellent young +man, handsome as an angel, and as good as gold."</p> + +<p>"The fact is, my dear Murphy, that if the young +Prince Henry had had his <i>entrée</i> to the grand ducal +abbey of Ste. Hermenegilde, of which his aunt is the +superior, the poor nuns—"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Baron! baron! why—"</p> + +<p>"My dear sir, the air of Paris—But let us talk +seriously. Shall I await the rising of his royal highness +to communicate all the particulars which I have +procured?"</p> + +<p>"No, my dear baron. Monseigneur has desired that +he should not be called before two or three o'clock in +the afternoon; he desires, also, that you send off this +morning these despatches by a special courier, instead of +waiting till Monday. You will entrust me with all the +particulars you have acquired, and I will communicate +them to monseigneur when he wakes. These are his +orders."</p> + +<p>"Nothing can be better, and I think his royal highness +will be satisfied with what I have collected. But, my +dear Murphy, I hope the despatch of the special courier +is not a bad sign; the last despatches which I had the +honour of sending to his royal highness—"</p> + +<p>"Announced that all was going on well at home; and +it is precisely because my lord is desirous of expressing +as early as possible his entire satisfaction, that he wishes +a courier to be despatched this very day to Prince +Herkhaüsen-Oldenzaal, Chief of the Supreme Council."</p> + +<p>"That is so like his royal highness; were it to blame +instead of commend, he would observe less haste."</p> + +<p>"Nothing new has transpired with us, my dear baron,—nothing +at all. Our mysterious adventures—"</p> + +<p>"Are wholly unknown. You know that, since the +arrival of his royal highness in Paris, his friends have +become used to see him but little in public; it is understood +that he prefers seclusion, and is in the habit of +making frequent excursions to the environs of Paris, +and, with the exception of the Countess Sarah Macgregor +and her brother, no person is aware of the disguises +assumed by his royal highness; and neither of the personages +I have mentioned have the smallest interest in +betraying the secret."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Ah! my dear baron," exclaimed Murphy, heaving a +deep sigh, "what an unfortunate thing it is that this +accursed countess should be left a widow at this very +important moment!"</p> + +<p>"She was married, I think, in 1827 or 1828?"</p> + +<p>"In 1827, shortly after the death of the unfortunate +child, who would now be in her sixteenth or seventeenth +year, and whose loss his royal highness seems daily more +to deplore."</p> + +<p>"Far more so, indeed, than he appears to feel for the +loss of his legitimate offspring."</p> + +<p>"And thus, my dear baron, we may account for the +deep interest his royal highness takes in the poor Goualeuse, +arising as it does from the fact that the daughter +so deeply deplored would, had she lived, have been +precisely the same age as this unfortunate young creature."</p> + +<p>"It is, indeed, an unfortunate affair that the Countess +Sarah, from whom we fancied we were for ever freed, +should have become a widow exactly eighteen months +after his royal highness had been deprived by death of +the wife with whom he had passed years of wedded +happiness. The countess, I am persuaded, looks upon +this double freedom from all marriage vows as a signal +intervention of Providence to further her views."</p> + +<p>"And her impetuous passion has become more ardent +than ever, though she is well aware that my lord feels for +her the deepest aversion and well-merited contempt. Was +not her culpable indifference the cause of her child's +death? Did she not cause—Ah, baron," said Murphy, +leaving the sentence unfinished, "this woman is our evil +genius. God grant she may not reappear amongst us +laden with fresh misfortunes!"</p> + +<p>"But still, under present circumstances, any views +Countess Sarah may entertain must be absurd in the +greatest degree; the death of the unfortunate child you +just now alluded to has broken the last tie which might<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span> +have attached my lord to this dangerous woman. She +must be mad, as well as foolish, to persist in so hopeless +a pursuit."</p> + +<p>"If she be mad, there is a dangerous 'method in her +madness;' her brother, you are aware, partakes of her +ambitious schemes and obstinate opinions of ultimate +success. Although this worthy pair have as much reason +for utter despair as they had eighteen years since of +entire success—"</p> + +<p>"Eighteen years! What an accumulation of evil +has been wrought during that period by the criminal +compliance of that rascally Polidori!"</p> + +<p>"By the way, talking of that miserable wretch, I have +traced that he was here about a year or two ago, suffering, +no doubt, from the most perfect destitution, or else +subsisting by disgraceful and dishonourable practices."</p> + +<p>"What a pity that a man so largely endowed with +penetration, talent, deep learning, and natural intelligence, +should sink so low!"</p> + +<p>"The innate perversity of his character marred all +these high qualities. It is to be hoped he and the +countess will not meet; the junction of two such evil +spirits is indeed to be feared, for what frightful consequences +might there not result from it! Now, touching +the facts you have been collecting, have you them about +you?"</p> + +<p>"Here," said the baron, drawing a paper from his +pocket, "are the various particulars I have been enabled +to collect touching the birth of a young girl known as +La Goualeuse, and also of the now residence of an +individual called François Germain, son of the Schoolmaster."</p> + +<p>"Be kind enough to read me the result of your inquiries, +my dear De Graün. I am well aware what are +his royal highness's intentions in the matter; I shall be +able to judge then whether the information you possess +will be sufficient to enable him to carry them into effect.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span> +You have every reason to be satisfied with the agent you +employ, I suppose?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, he is a rare fellow! so precise, methodical, +zealous, and intelligent! I am, indeed, sometimes +obliged to moderate his energy; for I am well aware +there are certain points, the clearing up of which his +highness reserves for himself."</p> + +<p>"And, of course, your agent is far from suspecting +the deep interest his royal highness has in the matter?"</p> + +<p>"Entirely so. My diplomatic position affords an excellent +pretext for the inquiries I have undertaken. M. +Badinot (for such is the name of the person I am speaking +of) is a sharp, shrewd individual, having connections, +either recognised or concealed, in every grade of society. +He was formerly a lawyer, but compelled to quit his +profession from some very serious breach of trust; he +has, however, retained very accurate recollections touching +the fortunes and situations of his old clients; he +knows many a secret, which he boasts, with considerable +effrontery, of having turned to a good account. By +turns, rich and poor,—now successful, and then a ruined +man,—he only ceased his speculations when none could +be found to take part in them with him; reduced to live +from day to day by expedients more or less illegal, he +became a curious specimen of the Figaro school,—so +long as his interest was concerned he would devote himself, +soul and body, to his employer; and we are sure of +his fidelity, for the simple reason that he has nothing +to gain, though a great deal to lose, by deceiving us; +and, besides, I make him careful of our interests, even +unknown to himself."</p> + +<p>"The particulars he has hitherto furnished us with +have been very correct and satisfactory."</p> + +<p>"Oh, he has a very straightforward manner of going +to work! And I assure you, my dear Murphy, that M. +Badinot is the very original type of one of those mysterious +existences which are to be met with, and only<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span> +possible, in Paris. He would greatly amuse his royal +highness, if it were not necessary to avoid their being +known to each other in this business."</p> + +<p>"You can augment the pay of M. Badinot if you deem +it necessary."</p> + +<p>"Why, really, five hundred francs a month, and his +expenses, amounting to nearly the same sum, appear to +me quite sufficient; we shall see by and by."</p> + +<p>"And does he not seem ashamed of the part he +plays?"</p> + +<p>"On the contrary, he is not a little vain of his +employment, and when he brings me any particulars +assumes a certain air of importance he would fain pass +off as due to his diplomatic functions; for the fellow +either thinks, or feigns to do so, that he is deeply engaged +in state affairs, and ventures to observe at times, +in a sort of undertone, how very marvellous it is that +such close and intimate relationship should be found to +exist between every-day events and the destinies of kingdoms! +Yes, really, he had the impudence to remark to +me the other day, 'What complicated machinery is contained +in the grand machine of state affairs! Who would +think now, M. le Baron, those little humble notes collected +by me will have their part to play in directing and +regulating the affairs of Europe!'"</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, rascals generally seek to veil their mean +and base practices beneath some high-sounding pretext. +But the notes you are to give me, my dear baron, have +you them with you?"</p> + +<p>"Here they are, drawn up precisely from the accounts +furnished by M. Badinot."</p> + +<p>"Pray let me hear them; I am all attention."</p> + +<p>M. de Graün then read as follows:</p> + +<p>"<i>Note relative to Fleur-de-Marie.</i>—About the beginning +of the year 1827, a man named Pierre Tournemine, +then under sentence in the galleys at Rochefort for forgery, +proposed to a woman named Gervais, but also<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span> +known as La Chouette, to take perpetual charge of a +little girl, then between five and six years of age, for +a sum of one thousand francs paid down.</p> + +<p>"The bargain being concluded, the child was delivered +over to the woman, with whom she remained two years, +when, unable longer to endure the cruelty shown her, +the little girl disappeared; nor did the Chouette hear +anything of her for several years, when she unexpectedly +met with her at a small public-house in the Cité, +nearly seven weeks ago. The infant, now grown into a +young woman, then bore the appellation of La Goualeuse.</p> + +<p>"A few days previously to this meeting, the above +mentioned Tournemine, who had become acquainted +with the Schoolmaster at the galleys of Rochefort, had +sent to Bras Rouge (the regular, though concealed correspondent +of every rogue and felon either in prison or +out of it) a lengthened detail of every particular relative +to the child formerly confided to the woman Gervais, +otherwise the Chouette.</p> + +<p>"From this account, and the declarations of the +Chouette, it appeared that one Madame Séraphin, housekeeper +to a notary named Jacques Ferrand, had in 1827 +instructed Tournemine to find a person who, for the sum +of one thousand francs, would be willing to take the +entire charge of a child of from five to six years of age +whom it was desired to get rid of, as has before been +mentioned.</p> + +<p>"The Chouette accepted the proposition, and received +both the child and the stipulated sum of money.</p> + +<p>"The aim of Tournemine, in addressing these particulars +to Bras Rouge, was to enable the latter to extort +money from Madame Séraphin, whom Tournemine considered +but as the agent of a third party, under a threat +of revealing the whole affair unless well paid for silence.</p> + +<p>"Bras Rouge entrusted the Chouette, long the established +partner in all the Schoolmaster's schemes of +villainy; and this explains how so important a document<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span> +found its way to that monster's possession, and also +accounts for the expression used by the Chouette at her +rencontre with the Goualeuse in the cabaret of the White +Rabbit, when, by way of tormenting her victim, she said, +'We have found out all about your parents, but you +shall never know who or what they are.'</p> + +<p>"The point to be decided was as to the veracity of +the circumstances detailed by Tournemine in his letter +to the Chouette.</p> + +<p>"It has been ascertained that Madame Séraphin and +the notary, Jacques Ferrand, are both living; the address +of the latter is Rue du Sentier, No. 41, where he passes +for a person of pious and austere life; at least, he is constant +in his attendance at church,—his attention to his +professional duties, close and severe, though some accuse +him of following up the severity of the law with unnecessary +rigour. In his mode of living he observes a parsimony +bordering on avarice. Madame Séraphin still +resides with him, as manager of his household; and M. +Jacques Ferrand, spite of his original poverty, has invested +thirty-five thousand francs in the funds, the +greatest part of this sum having been supplied to him +through a M. Charles Robert, a superior officer of the +National Guard,—a young and handsome man, in high +repute with a certain class of society. 'Tis true that +some ill-natured persons are found to assert that, owing +either to fortunate speculations or lucky hits upon +the Stock Exchange, undertaken in partnership with the +above mentioned Charles Robert, the worthy notary +could now well afford to pay back the original loan with +high interest; but the rigidly austere and self-denying +life of this worthy man gives a flat denial to all such +gossiping reports, and, spite of the incredulity with +which he is occasionally listened to, he persists in styling +himself a man struggling for a maintenance. There can +be no manner of doubt but that Madame Séraphin, this +worthy gentleman's housekeeper, could, if she pleased,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span> +throw an entire light upon every circumstance connected +with La Goualeuse."</p> + +<p>"Bravo, my dear baron!" exclaimed Murphy; "nothing +can be better. These declarations of Tournemine +carry with them an appearance of truth, and it seems +more than probable that we may, through Jacques Ferrand, +obtain the right clue to discovering the parents of +this unfortunate girl. Now tell me, have you been +equally successful in the information collected touching +the son of the Schoolmaster?"</p> + +<p>"Perhaps, as regards him, I am not furnished with +such minute particulars; but, upon the whole, I think +the result of our inquiries very satisfactory."</p> + +<p>"Upon my word, your M. Badinot is a downright +treasure!"</p> + +<p>"You see, Bras Rouge is the hinge upon which everything +turns. M. Badinot, who has several acquaintances +in the police, pointed him out to us as the go-between +of several notorious felons, and knew the man directly +he was set to discover what had become of the ill-fated +son of Madame Georges Duresnel, the unfortunate wife +of this atrocious Schoolmaster."</p> + +<p>"And it was in going to search for Bras Rouge, in +his den in the Cité (Rue aux Fêves, No. 13), that my +lord fell in with the Chourineur and La Goualeuse. His +royal highness hoped, too, that the opportunity now +before him, of visiting these abodes of vice and wretchedness, +might afford him the means of rescuing some +unfortunate being from the depths of guilt and misery. +His benevolent anticipations were gratified, but at what +risk it is painful even to remember."</p> + +<p>"Whatever dangers attended the scheme, you, at +least, my dear Murphy, bravely bore your share in them."</p> + +<p>"Was not I, for that very purpose, appointed charcoal-man +in waiting upon his royal highness?" replied the +squire, smilingly.</p> + +<p>"Say, rather, his intrepid body-guard, my worthy<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span> +friend. But to touch upon your courage and devotion +is only to repeat what every one knows. I will, therefore, +spare your modesty, and continue my relation. +Here are the various particulars we have been able to +glean concerning François Germain, son of Madame +Georges and the Schoolmaster, properly called Duresnel:</p> + +<p>"About eighteen months since, a young man, named +François Germain, arrived in Paris from Nantes, where +he had been employed in the banking-house of Noël +and Co.</p> + +<p>"It seems, both from the confession of the Schoolmaster +as well as from several letters found upon him, +that the scoundrel to whom he had entrusted his unfortunate +offspring, for the purpose of perverting his young +mind, and rendering him one day a worthy assistant to +his unprincipled father in his nefarious schemes, proposed +to the young man to join in a plot for robbing his +employers, as well as to forge upon the firm to a considerable +amount. This proposition was received by the +youth with well-merited indignation, but, unwilling to +denounce the man by whom he had been brought up, +he first communicated anonymously to his master the +designs projected against the bank, and then privately +quitted Nantes, that he might avoid the rage and fury +of those whose sinful practices his soul sickened and +shuddered to think of, far less to bear the idea of participating +in.</p> + +<p>"These wretches, aware that they had betrayed themselves +to the young man, and dreading the use he might +make of his information, immediately upon finding he +had quitted Nantes followed him to Paris, with the most +sinister intentions of silencing him for ever. After long +and persevering inquiries, they succeeded in discovering +his address, but, happily for the persecuted object of their +search, he had a few days previously encountered the +villain who had first sought to corrupt his principles, and, +well divining the motive which had brought him to Paris,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span> +lost no time in changing his abode; and so, for this time, +the Schoolmaster's hapless son escaped his pursuers. +Still, however, following up the scent, they succeeded in +tracing the youth to his fresh abode, 17 Rue du Temple. +One evening, however, he narrowly escaped falling into +an ambush laid for him (the Schoolmaster concealed +this circumstance from my lord), but again Providence +befriended him, and he escaped, though too much alarmed +to remain in his lodgings; he once more changed his +abode, since which time all traces of him have been lost. +And matters had reached thus far when the Schoolmaster +received the just punishment of his crimes; since +which period, by order of my lord, fresh inquiries have +been instituted, of which the following is the result.</p> + +<p>"François Germain lived for about three months at +No. 17 Rue du Temple, a house rendered worthy of observation +by the habits and ingenious practices of its inhabitants. +Germain was a great favourite among them, +by reason of his kind and amiable disposition, as well as +for the frank gaiety of his temper. Although his means +of livelihood appeared very slender, yet he had rendered +the most generous assistance to an indigent family occupying +the garrets of the house. In vain has been every +inquiry made in the Rue du Temple touching the present +residence of François Germain, or the profession he was +supposed to follow; every one in the house believed him +to be employed in some counting-house, or office, as he +went out early in the morning and never returned till +late in the evening. The only person who really knows +the present residence of the young man is a female, +lodging in the house No. 17 Rue du Temple,—a young +and pretty grisette, named Rigolette, between whom and +Germain a very close acquaintance appears to have +existed. She occupies the adjoining room to that which +Germain tenanted, and which chamber, by the by, is still +vacant; and it was under pretext of inquiring about it +that these particulars were obtained."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Rigolette!" exclaimed Murphy, after having been for +several minutes apparently in deep thought. "Yes, I +am sure I know her."</p> + +<p>"<i>You!</i> Sir Walter Murphy," replied the baron, much +amused. "You, most worthy and respectable father of +a family! <i>you</i> know anything of pretty grisettes! And so +the name of Mlle. Rigolette is familiar to you, is it? +Fie, fie! Oh, positively I am ashamed of you!"</p> + +<p>"'Pon my soul, my lord compelled me to have so +many strange acquaintances, that such a mere trifle as +this should pass for nothing. But wait a bit. Yes, now +I recollect perfectly, that when my lord was relating the +history of La Goualeuse, I could not help laughing at +the very odd name of Rigolette, which, as far as I can +call to mind, was the name of a prison acquaintance of +that poor Fleur-de-Marie."</p> + +<p>"Well, then, just at this particular juncture Mlle. +Rigolette may be of the utmost service to us. Let me +conclude my report:</p> + +<p>"There might possibly be an advantage in engaging +the vacant chamber recently belonging to Germain, in +the Rue du Temple. We have no instructions to proceed +further in our investigations, but, from some words +which escaped the porteress, there is every reason to +believe that not only would it be possible to find in this +house certain indications of where the Schoolmaster's +son may be heard of, through the means of Mlle. Rigolette, +but the house itself would afford my lord an opportunity +of studying human nature amid wants, difficulties, +and misery, the very existence of which he is far from +suspecting."</p> + +<p>"Thus you see, my dear Murphy," said M. de Graün, +finishing his report and presenting it to his companion, +"you see evidently that it is from the notary, Jacques +Ferrand, we must hope to obtain information respecting +the parentage of La Goualeuse, and that we must go to +Mlle. Rigolette to trace the dwelling of François Germain.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span> +It seems to me a great point to have ascertained +the direction in which to search."</p> + +<p>"Undoubtedly, baron; you are quite right; and, +besides, I am sure my lord will find a fine field for observation +in the house of which you speak. But I have +not yet done with you. Have you made any inquiries +respecting the Marquis d'Harville?"</p> + +<p>"I have; and, so far as concerns money matters, his +royal highness's fears are wholly unfounded. M. Badinot +affirms (and he is very likely to be well informed on +the subject) that the fortune of the marquis has never +been in a more prosperous condition, or better managed."</p> + +<p>"Why, after having in vain exhausted every other +conjecture as to the secret grief which is preying upon +M. d'Harville, my lord imagined that it was just probable +the marquis had some pecuniary difficulties; had it +proved so, he would have removed them with that delicate +assumption of mystery you know he so frequently +employs to veil his munificence. But, since even this +conjecture has failed, he must abandon all hope of guessing +the enigma; and this he will do the more reluctantly, +as his great desire to discover it arose out of his +ardent friendship for M. d'Harville."</p> + +<p>"A friendship which is founded on a grateful recollection +of the important services rendered by the marquis's +father to his own parent. Are you aware, my +dear Murphy, that at the remodelling of the States in +1815, at the Germanic confederation, the father of his +royal highness had a chance of being excluded, from his +well-known attachment to Napoleon? Thanks to the +friendship with which the Emperor Alexander honoured +him, the deceased Marquis d'Harville was enabled to +render most effectual service to the father of our patron. +The emperor, whose warm regard for the late marquis +had taken its date from the period of that nobleman's +emigration to Russia, exerted his powerful influence in +congress so successfully, that at the grand meeting to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span> +decide the destinies of the princes of Germany, the +father of our noble employer was reinstated in all his +pristine rights. As for the friendship now subsisting +between the present marquis and his royal highness, I +believe it commenced when, as mere boys, they met together +on a visit paid by the then reigning grand duke +to the late Marquis d'Harville."</p> + +<p>"So I have heard; and they appear to have retained +a most lively recollection of this happy period of their +youth. Nor is this all I have to say on the subject of +the interest our noble master takes in every matter concerning +the house of D'Harville. So profound is his +gratitude for the services rendered to his father, that all +bearing the honoured name of D'Harville, or belonging +to the family, possess a powerful claim on the kindness +of the prince. Thus, not alone to her virtues or her +misfortunes does poor Madame Georges owe the increasing +and unwearied goodness of my lord."</p> + +<p>"Madame Georges!" exclaimed the astounded baron. +"What, the wife of Duresnel, the felon known as the +Schoolmaster?"</p> + +<p>"And the mother of François Germain, the youth we +are seeking for, and whom, I trust, we shall find."</p> + +<p>"Is the relation of M. d'Harville?"</p> + +<p>"She was his mother's cousin, and her most intimate +friend; the old marquis entertained the most perfect +friendship and esteem for Madame Georges."</p> + +<p>"But how, for heaven's sake, my dear Murphy, did +it ever come about that the D'Harville family ever permitted +a descendant of theirs to marry such a monster +as this Duresnel?"</p> + +<p>"Why, thus it was. The father of this unfortunate +woman was a M. de Lagny, who, previous to the Revolution, +possessed considerable property in Languedoc, +and who, having fortunately escaped the proscription so +fatal to many, availed himself of the first tranquillity +which succeeded these days of discord and anarchy to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span> +establish his only daughter in marriage. Among the +various candidates for the hand of the young heiress +was this Duresnel, the representative of a wealthy and +respectable family, possessing powerful parliamentary influence, +and concealing the depravity of his disposition +beneath the most specious exterior. To this man was +Mlle. de Lagny united, by desire of her father; but a +very short time sufficed to strip the mask from his +vicious character, and to display his natural propensities. +A gambler, a spendthrift, and profligate, addicted +to the lowest vices that can disgrace a human being, he +quickly dissipated, not only his own fortune, but that of +his wife also. Even the estate to which Madame Georges +Duresnel had retired was involved in the general ruin +occasioned by her worthless husband's passion for play, +and his dissolute mode of life; and the unfortunate +woman would have been left without a shelter for herself +or infant son but for the kind affection of her relation, +the Marquise d'Harville, whom she loved with the +tenderness of a sister. With this valued friend Madame +Duresnel found a welcome home, while her wretched +husband, finding himself utterly ruined, plunged into +the blackest crimes, and stopped at no means, however +guilty and desperate, to supply his pleasures. He became +the associate of thieves, murderers, pickpockets, +and forgers, and ere long, falling into the hands of the +law, was sentenced to the galleys for the term of his +natural life. Yet, while suffering the just punishment +of his crimes, his base mind devised the double atrocity +of tearing the child from its miserable mother, for the +sake of breaking down every good principle it might +have imbibed, and of training it up in vicious readiness +to join his future schemes of villainy. You know the +rest. After the condemnation of her husband, Madame +Georges, without giving any reason for so doing, quitted +the Marquise d'Harville, and went to hide her shame +and her sorrows in Paris, where she soon fell into the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span> +utmost distress. It would occupy too much time to tell +you by what train of events my lord became aware of +the misfortunes of this excellent woman, as well as the +ties which connect her with the D'Harville family; it is +sufficient that he came most opportunely and generously +to her assistance, induced her to quit Paris and establish +herself at the farm at Bouqueval, where she now is, +with the Goualeuse. In this peaceful retreat she has +found tranquillity, if not happiness; and the overlooking +and management of the farm may serve to recreate +her thoughts, and prevent them from dwelling too deeply +on her past sorrows. As much to spare the almost +morbid sensibility of Madame Georges, as because he +dislikes to blazon forth his good deeds, my lord has +not even acquainted M. d'Harville with the fact of his +having relieved his kinswoman from such severe distress."</p> + +<p>"I comprehend now the twofold interest which my +lord has in desiring to discover the traces of the son of +this poor woman."</p> + +<p>"You may also judge by that, my dear baron, of the +affection which his royal highness bears to the whole +family, and how deep is his vexation at seeing the young +marquis so sad, with so many reasons to be happy."</p> + +<p>"What can there be wanting to M. d'Harville? He +unites all,—birth, fortune, wit, youth; his wife is charming, +and as prudent as she is lovely."</p> + +<p>"True, and his royal highness only had recourse to +the inquiries we have been talking over after having +in vain endeavoured to penetrate the cause of M. d'Harville's +deep melancholy; he showed himself deeply affected +by the kind attentions of monseigneur, but still +has been entirely reserved on the subject of his low +spirits. It may be some <i>peine de cœur</i>."</p> + +<p>"Yet it is said that he is excessively fond of his wife, +and she does not give him the least cause for jealousy. +I often meet her in society, and, although she is constantly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span> +surrounded by admirers (as every young and +lovely woman is), still her reputation is unsullied."</p> + +<p>"The marquis is always speaking of her in the highest +terms; he has had, however, one little discussion with +her on the subject of the Countess Sarah Macgregor."</p> + +<p>"Has she, then, seen her?"</p> + +<p>"By a most unlucky chance, the father of the Marquis +d'Harville knew Sarah Seyton of Halsburg, and +her brother Tom, seventeen or eighteen years ago, during +their residence in Paris, and when they were much +noticed by the lady of the English ambassador. Learning +that the brother and sister were going into Germany, +the old marquis gave them letters of introduction to the +father of our noble lord, with whom he kept up a constant +correspondence. Alas! my dear De Graün, perhaps +but for these introductions many misfortunes would +have been avoided, for then monseigneur would not have +known this woman. When the Countess Sarah returned +hither, knowing the friendship of his royal highness for +the marquis, she presented herself at the Hotel d'Harville, +in the hope of meeting monseigneur; for she shows +as much pertinacity in pursuing him as he evinces resolution +to avoid her."</p> + +<p>"Only imagine her disguising herself in male attire, +and following him into the Cité! No woman but she +would have dreamt of such a thing."</p> + +<p>"She, perhaps, hoped by such a step to touch his +royal highness and compel him to an interview, which +he has always refused and avoided. To return to +Madame d'Harville: her husband, to whom monseigneur +has spoken of Sarah as she deserved, has begged his +wife to see her as seldom as possible; but the young +marquise, seduced by the hypocritical flatteries of the +countess, has gone somewhat counter to the marquis's +request. Some trifling differences have arisen, but not +of sufficient importance to cause or explain the extreme +dejection of the marquis."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, the women! the women! My dear Murphy, I +am very sorry that Madame d'Harville should have +formed any acquaintance with this Sarah. So young +and charming a woman must suffer by the contact with +such an infernal—"</p> + +<p>"Talking of infernal creatures," said Murphy, "here +is a communication relative to Cecily, the unworthy +spouse of the excellent David."</p> + +<p>"Between ourselves, my dear Murphy, this audacious +<i>métisse</i><a name="FNanchor_1_9" id="FNanchor_1_9"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_9" class="fnanchor">[9]</a> well deserves the terrible punishment that +her husband, our dear black doctor, has inflicted on +the Schoolmaster by monseigneur's order. She has +also shed blood, and her unblushing infamy is astounding."</p> + +<div class="footnotes"> +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_1_9" id="Footnote_1_9"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_9"><span class="label">[9]</span></a> The Creole issue of a white and quadroon slave. The <i>métisses</i> only +differ from the whites by some peculiarities hardly perceptible.</p></div> +</div> + +<p>"Yet she is so very handsome,—so seductive! A +perverted mind within an attractive outside always +inspires me with twofold disgust."</p> + +<p>"In this sense Cecily is doubly hateful. But I hope +that this despatch annuls the last orders issued by +monseigneur with regard to this wretched creature."</p> + +<p>"On the contrary, baron."</p> + +<p>"My lord, then, desires that her escape from the +fortress in which she had been shut up for life may be +effected?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"And that her pretended ravisher should bring her +to France,—to Paris?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; and, besides, this despatch orders the arrangement +to be carried out as soon as possible, and that +Cecily be made to travel hither so speedily that she may +arrive here in a fortnight."</p> + +<p>"I am lost in astonishment! Monseigneur has always +evinced such a horror of her!"</p> + +<p>"And that horror he still experiences; if possible, +stronger than ever."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span></p><p>"And yet he causes her to be sent to him! To be +sure, it will always be easy to apprehend Cecily again, +if she does not carry out what he requires of her. +Orders are given to the son of the gaoler of the fortress +of Gerolstein to carry her off, as if he were enamoured of +her, and every facility will be given to him for effecting +this purpose. Overjoyed at this opportunity of escaping, +the <i>métisse</i> will follow her supposed ravisher, and reach +Paris; then she will always have her sentence of condemnation +hanging over her, always be but an escaped +prisoner, and I shall be always ready, when it shall +please his royal highness to desire, again to lay hands +upon and incarcerate her."</p> + +<p>"I should tell you, my dear baron, that when David +learned from monseigneur of the proposed arrival of +Cecily, he was absolutely petrified, and exclaimed, 'I +hope that your royal highness will not compel me to +see the monster?' 'Make yourself easy,' replied monseigneur; +'you shall not see her, but I may require her +services for a particular purpose.' David felt relieved of +an enormous weight off his mind. Nevertheless, I am +sure that some very painful reminiscences were awakened +in his mind."</p> + +<p>"Poor negro! he loves her still. They say, too, that +she is yet so lovely!"</p> + +<p>"Charming!—too charming! It requires the pitiless +eye of a creole to detect the mixed blood in the all +but imperceptible shade which lightly tinges her rosy +finger-nails. Our fresh and hale beauties of the North +have not a more transparent complexion, nor a skin of +more dazzling whiteness."</p> + +<p>"I was in France when monseigneur returned from +America, accompanied by David and Cecily, and I know +that that excellent man was from that time attached to +his royal highness by ties of the strongest gratitude; but +I never learned how he became attached to the service +of our master, and how he had married Cecily, whom I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span> +saw, for the first time, about a year after his marriage; +and God knows the scandal that followed!"</p> + +<p>"I can tell you every particular that you may wish to +learn, my dear baron; I accompanied monseigneur in +his voyage to America, when he rescued David and the +<i>métisse</i> from the most awful fate."</p> + +<p>"You are always most kind, my dear Murphy, and I +am all attention," said the baron.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span></p> +<h3>CHAPTER XXII.</h3> + +<h5>HISTORY OF DAVID AND CECILY.</h5> + + +<p>"Mr. Willis, a rich American planter, settled in +Florida," said Murphy, "had discovered in one of his +young black slaves, named David, who was employed in +the infirmary attached to his dwelling, a very remarkable +degree of intelligence, combined with a constant +and deep commiseration for the sick poor, to whom he +gave, with the utmost attention and care, the medicine +ordered by the doctors, and, moreover, so strong a prepossession +for the study of botany, as applied to medicine, +that without any tuition he had composed and +classified a sort of flora of the plants around the dwelling +and the vicinity. The establishment of Mr. Willis, +situated on the borders of the sea, was fifteen or twenty +leagues from the nearest town; and the medical men of +the district, ignorant as they were, gave themselves no +great deal of care or trouble, in consequence of the long +distance and the difficulty in procuring any means of +conveyance. Desirous of remedying so extreme an inconvenience +in a country subject to violent epidemics, +and to have at hand at all times a skilful practitioner, +the colonist made up his mind to send David to France +to learn surgery and medicine. Enchanted at this offer, +the young black set out for Paris, and the planter paid +all the expenses of his course of study. David, having +for eight years studied with great diligence and remarkable +effect, received the degree of surgeon and physician +with the most distinguished success, and then returned<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span> +to America to place himself and his skill under the +direction of his master."</p> + +<p>"But David ought to have considered himself free +and emancipated, in fact and in law, when he set foot +in France."</p> + +<p>"David's loyalty is very rare: he had promised Mr. +Willis to return, and he did so. He did not consider as +his own the instruction which he had acquired with his +master's money; and, besides, he hoped to improve morally +as well as physically the sufferings of the slaves, his +former companions; he trusted to become not only their +doctor, but their firm friend and defender with the +colonist."</p> + +<p>"He must, indeed, be imbued with the most unflinching +probity and the most intense love for his fellow +creatures to return to a master,—an owner,—after having +spent eight years in the midst of the society of the +most democratic young men in Europe."</p> + +<p>"Judge of the man by this one trait. Well, he returned +to Florida, and, truth to tell, was used by Mr. +Willis with consideration and kindness, eating at his +table, sleeping under his roof. But this colonist was as +stupid, malevolent, selfish, and despotic as most creoles +are, and he thought himself very generous in giving David +six hundred francs (24<i>l.</i>) a year salary. At the end of +some months a terrible typhus fever broke out in the +plantation. Mr. Willis was attacked by it, but soon restored +through the careful attentions and efficacious +remedies of David. Out of thirty negroes dangerously +affected by this fatal disease, only two perished. Mr. +Willis, much gratified by the services which David had +so auspiciously rendered, raised his wages to twelve +hundred francs, to the extreme gratification of the black +doctor, whose fellows regarded him as a divinity amongst +them, for he had, with much difficulty it is true, obtained +from their master some few indulgences, and was hoping +to procure still more. In the meanwhile, he consoled<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span> +these poor people, and exhorted them to patience; spake +to them of God, who watches over the black and the +white man with an equal eye; of another world not peopled +with masters and slaves, but with the just and the +unjust; of another life in eternity, where man was no +longer the beast of burden,—the property,—the thing +of his fellow man, but where the victims of this world +were so happy that they prayed in heaven for their tormentors. +What shall I tell you more? To those unhappy +wretches who, contrary to other men, count with +bitter joy the hours which bring them nearer to the +tomb,—to those unfortunate creatures, who looked forward +only to nothingness hereafter, David breathed the +language and the hope of a free and happy immortality; +and then their chains appeared less heavy and their toil +less irksome. He was their idol. A year passed away +in this manner. Amongst the handsomest of the female +slaves at the house was a <i>métisse</i>, about fifteen years of +age, named Cecily, and for this poor girl Mr. Willis took +a fancy. For the first time in his life his advances were +repulsed and obstinately resisted; Cecily was in love, +and with David, who, during the late fearful distemper, +had attended her with the most vigilant care. Afterwards +a deep and mutual love repaid him the debt of +gratitude. David's taste was too refined to allow him +to boast of his happiness before the time when he should +marry Cecily, which was to be when she had turned her +sixteenth year. Mr. Willis, ignorant of their love, had +thrown his handkerchief right royally at the pretty <i>métisse</i>, +and she, in deep despair, sought David, and told +him all the brutal attempts that she had been subjected +to and with difficulty escaped. The black comforted +her, and instantly went to Mr. Willis to request her +hand in marriage."</p> + +<p>"<i>Diable!</i> my dear Murphy, I can easily surmise the +answer of the American sultan,—he refused?"</p> + +<p>"He did. He said he had an inclination for the girl<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span> +himself; that in his life before he had never experienced +the repulse of a slave; he meant to possess her, and he +would. David might choose another wife or mistress, +whichsoever might best suit his inclination; there were +in the plantation ten <i>capusses</i> or <i>métisses</i> as pretty as +Cecily. David talked of his love,—love so long and +tenderly shared, and the planter shrugged his shoulders; +David urged, but it was all in vain. The creole had the +cool impudence to tell him that it was a bad 'example' +to see a master concede to a slave, and that he would +not set that 'example' to satisfy a caprice of David's! +He entreated,—supplicated, and his master lost his +temper. David, blushing to humiliate himself further, +spake in a firm tone of his services and disinterestedness,—that +he had been contented with a very slender salary. +Mr. Willis was desperately enraged, and, telling him he +was a contumacious slave, threatened him with the +chain. David replied with a few bitter and violent +words; and, two hours afterwards, bound to a stake, +his skin was torn with the lash, whilst they bore Cecily +to the harem of the planter in his sight."</p> + +<p>"The conduct of the planter was brutal and horrible; +it was adding absurdity to cruelty, for he must after +that have required the man's services."</p> + +<p>"Precisely so; for that very day the very fury into +which he had worked himself, joined to the drunkenness +in which the brute indulged every evening, brought on +an inflammatory attack of the most dangerous description, +the symptoms of which appeared with the rapidity +peculiar to such affections. The planter was carried to +his bed in a state of the highest fever. He sent off an +express for a doctor, but he could not reach his abode in +less than six and thirty hours."</p> + +<p>"Really, this attack seems providential. The desperate +condition of the man was quite deserved by him."</p> + +<p>"The malady made fearful strides. David only could +save the colonist, but Willis, distrustful, as all evil-doers<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span> +are, imagined that the black would revenge himself by +administering poison; for, after having scourged him +with a rod, he had thrown him into prison. At last, +horrified at the progress of his illness, broken down by +bodily anguish, and thinking that, as death also stared +him in the face, he had one chance left in trusting to +the generosity of his slave, after many distrusting +doubts, Willis ordered David to be unchained."</p> + +<p>"And David saved the planter?"</p> + +<p>"For five days and five nights he watched and tended +him as if he had been his father, counteracting the disease, +step by step, with great skill and perfect knowledge, +until, at last, he succeeded in defeating it, to the +extreme surprise of the doctor who had been sent for, +and who did not arrive until the second day."</p> + +<p>"And, when restored to health at last, the colonist—"</p> + +<p>"Not desiring to blush before his own slave, whose +presence constantly oppressed him with the recollection +of his excessive nobleness of conduct, the colonist made +an enormous sacrifice to attach the doctor he had sent +for to his establishment, and David was again conducted +to his dungeon."</p> + +<p>"Horrible, but by no means astonishing. David must +have been in the eyes of his brutal master a complete +living remorse."</p> + +<p>"Such conduct was dictated alike by revenge and jealousy. +The blacks of Mr. Willis loved David with all +the warmth of gratitude, for he had saved them body +and soul. They knew the care he had bestowed on him +when he lay tossing with fever between life and death, +and, shaking off the deadening apathy which ordinarily +besets slavery, these unfortunate creatures evinced their +indignation, or rather grief, most powerfully when they +saw David lacerated by the whip. Mr. Willis, deeply +exasperated, affected to discover in this manifestation +the appearance of revolt, and, when he considered the +influence which David had acquired over the slaves, he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span> +believed him capable of placing himself at the head of a +rebellion to avenge himself of his wrongs. This fear +was another motive with the colonist for using David +in the most shameful manner, and entirely preventing +him from effecting the malicious designs of which he +suspected him."</p> + +<p>"Considering him as actuated by an irrepressible +amount of terror, this conduct seems less stupid, but +quite as ferocious."</p> + +<p>"A short time after these events we arrived in America. +Monseigneur had freighted a Danish brig at St. +Thomas's, and we visited incognito all the settlements +of the American coast along which we were sailing. +We were most hospitably received by Mr. Willis, who, +the evening after our arrival, after he had been drinking, +and as much from the excitement of wine as from a +desire to boast, told us, in a horrid tone of brutal jesting, +the history of David and Cecily. I forgot to say that, +after having maltreated the girl, he had thrown her into +a dungeon also, as a punishment for her disdain of him. +His royal highness, on hearing Willis's fearful narration, +thought the man was either drunk or a liar; but he +was drunk,—it was no lie. To remove any and all +doubt, the colonist rose from the table, and desired +a slave to bear a lantern and conduct us to David's +cell."</p> + +<p>"Well, what followed?"</p> + +<p>"In my life I never saw so distressing a spectacle. +Pale, wan, meagre, half naked, and covered with wounds, +David and the unhappy girl, chained by the middle of +the body, one at one end and the other at the other +end of the dungeon, looked like spectres. The lantern +that lighted us threw over this scene a still more +ghastly hue. David did not utter a word when he saw +us; his gaze was fixed and fearful. The colonist said +to him, with cruel irony, 'Well, doctor, how goes it? +You, who are so clever, why don't you cure yourself?'<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span> +The black replied by a noble word and a dignified gesture; +he raised his right hand slowly, his forefinger +pointed to the roof, and, without looking at the colonist, +said in a solemn tone, 'God!' and then was silent. +'God?' replied the planter, bursting into a loud fit of +laughter, 'tell him, then,—tell God to come and snatch +you from my power! I defy him!' Then Willis, overcome +by fury and intoxication, shook his fist to heaven, +and said, in blasphemous language, 'Yes, I defy God to +carry off my slaves before they are dead!'"</p> + +<p>"The man was mad as well as brutal."</p> + +<p>"We were utterly disgusted. Monseigneur did not +say a word, and we left the cell. This dungeon was +situated, as well as the house, on the seashore. We returned +to our brig, which was moored a short distance +off, and at one o'clock in the morning, when all in the +building were plunged in profound sleep, monseigneur +went on shore with eight men well armed, and, going +straight to the prison, burst open the doors, and freed +David and Cecily. The two victims were carried on +board so quietly that they were not perceived; and then +monseigneur and I went to the planter's house. Strange +contrast! These men torture their slaves, and yet do not +take any precaution against them, but sleep with doors +and windows open. We easily got access to the sleeping-room +of the planter, which was lighted on the inside +by a small glass lamp. Monseigneur awakened the man, +who sat upright in his bed, his brain still disturbed by +the effect of his drunkenness. 'You have to-night defied +God to carry off your two victims before their death, +and he has taken them,' said monseigneur. Then taking +a bag which I carried, and which contained twenty-five +thousand francs in gold, he threw it on the fellow's +bed, and added, 'This will indemnify you for the loss of +your two slaves,—to your violence that destroys I oppose +a violence that saves. God will judge between us.' We +then retreated, leaving Mr. Willis stupefied, motionless,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span> +and believing himself under the influence of a dream. +A few minutes later we were again on board the brig, +which instantly set sail."</p> + +<p>"It appears to me, my dear Murphy, that his royal +highness overpaid this wretch for the loss of his slaves; +for, in fact, David no longer belonged to him."</p> + +<p>"We calculated, as nearly as we could, the expense +which his studies had cost for eight years, and then +the price, thrice over, of himself and Cecily as slaves. +Our conduct was contrary to the rights of property, I +know; but if you had seen in what a horrible state we +found this unfortunate and half-dead couple, if you +had heard the sacrilegious defiance almost cast in the +face of the Almighty by this man, drunk with wine and +ferocity, you would comprehend how monseigneur desired, +as he said, on this occasion to act as it were in +behalf of Providence."</p> + +<p>"All this is as assailable and as justifiable as the +punishment of the Schoolmaster, my worthy squire. +And had not this adventure any consequences?"</p> + +<p>"It could not. The brig was under Danish colours; +the incognito of his royal highness was closely +kept; we were taken for rich Englishmen. To whom +could Willis have addressed his complaints, if he had +any to make? In fact, he had told us himself, and the +medical man of monseigneur declared it in a <i>procès verbal</i>, +that the two slaves could not have lived eight days +longer in this frightful dungeon. It required the greatest +possible care to snatch David and Cecily from +almost certain death. At last they were restored to +life. From this period David has been attached to the +suite of monseigneur as a medical man, and is most +devotedly attached to him."</p> + +<p>"David married Cecily, of course, on arriving in +Europe?"</p> + +<p>"This marriage, which ought to have been followed +by results so happy, took place in the chapel of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</a></span> +palace of monseigneur; but, by a most extraordinary +revulsion of conduct, hardly was she in the full enjoyment +of an unhoped-for position, when, forgetting all +that David had suffered for her and what she had +suffered for him, blushing in the new world to be +wedded to a black, Cecily, seduced by a man of most +depraved morals, committed her first fault. It would +seem as though the natural perversity of this abandoned +woman, having till then slumbered, was suddenly awakened, +and developed itself with fearful energy. You +know the rest, and all the scandal of the adventures +that followed. After having been two years a wife, +David, whose confidence in her was only equalled by his +love, learned the full extent of her infamy,—a thunderbolt +aroused him from his blind security."</p> + +<p>"They say he tried to kill his wife."</p> + +<p>"Yes; but, through the interference of monseigneur, +he consented to allow her to be immured for life in +a prison, and it is thence that monseigneur now seeks to +have her released,—to your great astonishment, as well +as mine, my dear baron. But it is growing late, and his +royal highness is anxious that your courier should start +for Gerolstein with as little delay as possible."</p> + +<p>"In two hours' time he shall be on the road. So +now, my dear Murphy, farewell till the evening."</p> + +<p>"Till the evening, adieu."</p> + +<p>"Have you, then, forgotten that there is a grand ball +at the —— Embassy, and that his royal highness will +be present?"</p> + +<p>"True. I have always forgotten that, since the absence +of Colonel Verner and the Count d'Harneim, I +have the honour to fulfil the functions of chamberlain +and aide-de-camp."</p> + +<p>"Ah, apropos of the count and the colonel, when +may we expect their return? Will they have soon +completed their respective missions?"</p> + +<p>"You know that monseigneur will keep them away as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</a></span> +long as possible, that he may enjoy more solitude and +liberty. As to the errand on which his royal highness +has employed each of them, as an ostensible motive for +getting rid of them in a quiet way,—sending one to +Avignon and the other to Strasbourg,—I will tell you +all about it some day, when we are both in a dull mood; +for I will defy the most hypochondriacal person in existence +not to burst with laughter at the narrative, as well +as with certain passages in the despatches of these +worthy gentlemen, who have assumed their pretended +missions with so serious an air."</p> + +<p>"To tell the truth, I have never clearly understood +why his royal highness attached the colonel and the +count to his private person."</p> + +<p>"Why, my dear fellow, is not Colonel Verner the +accurate type of military perfection? Is there, in the +whole Germanic confederation, a more elegant figure, +more flourishing and splendid moustaches, and a more +complete military figure? And when he is fully decorated, +screwed in, uniformed, gold-laced, plumed, etc., +etc., it is impossible to see a more glorious, self-satisfied, +proud, handsome—animal."</p> + +<p>"True, but it is his very good looks that prevent him +from having the appearance of a man of refined and +acute intellect."</p> + +<p>"Well! and monseigneur says that, thanks to the +colonel, he is in the habit of finding even the dullest +people in the world bearable. Before certain audiences, +which are of necessity, he shuts himself up with the +colonel for a half-hour or so, and then leaves him, full +of spirits and light as air, quite ready to meet bores +and defy them."</p> + +<p>"Just as the Roman soldier who, before a forced +march, used to sole his sandals with lead, and so found +all fatigue light by leaving them off. I now discover the +usefulness of the colonel. But the Count d'Harneim?"</p> + +<p>"Is also very serviceable to our dear lord; for, always<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</a></span> +hearing at his side the tinkling of this old cracked bell, +shining and chattering,—continually seeing this soap-bubble +so puffed up with nothingness, so magnificently +variegated, and, as such, portraying the theatrical and puerile +phase of sovereign power,—his royal highness feels +the more sensibly the vanity of those barren pomps and +glories of the world, and, by contrast, has often derived +the most serious and happy ideas from the contemplation +of his useless and pattering chamberlain."</p> + +<p>"Well, well; but let us be just, my dear Murphy: tell +me, in what court in the world would you find a more +perfect model of a chamberlain? Who knows better +than dear old D'Harneim the numberless rules and +strict observances of etiquette? Who bears with more +becoming demeanour an enamelled cross around his neck, +or more majestically comports himself when the keys of +office are suspended from his shoulders?"</p> + +<p>"Apropos, baron; monseigneur declares that the +shoulders of a chamberlain have a peculiar physiognomy: +that is, he says, an appearance at once constrained +and repulsive, which it is painful to look at; +for, alas and alackaday! it is at the back of a chamberlain +that the symbol of his office glitters, and, as monseigneur +avers, the worthy D'Harneim always seems +tempted to present himself backwards, that his importance +may at once be seen, felt, and acknowledged."</p> + +<p>"The fact is, that the incessant subject of the count's +meditations is to ascertain by what fatal imagination and +direction the chamberlain's key has been placed behind +the chamberlain's back; for it is related of him that he +said, with his accustomed good sense, and with a kind of +bitter grief, 'What, the devil! one does not open a door +with one's back, at all events!'"</p> + +<p>"Baron, the courier! the courier!" said Murphy, +pointing to the clock.</p> + +<p>"Sad old reprobate, to make me chatter thus! It is +your fault. Present my respects to his royal highness,"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</a></span> +said M. de Graün, taking his hat up in haste. "And +now, adieu till the evening, my dear Murphy."</p> + +<p>"Till the evening, my dear baron, fare thee well. It +will be late before we meet, for I am sure that monseigneur +will go this very day to pay a visit to the +mysterious house in the Rue du Temple."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</a></span></p> +<h3>CHAPTER XXIII.</h3> + +<h5>A HOUSE IN THE RUE DU TEMPLE.</h5> + + +<p>In order to profit by the particulars furnished by +Baron de Graün respecting La Goualeuse and Germain, +the Schoolmaster's son, it became necessary for Rodolph +to visit the house in the Rue du Temple, formerly the +abode of that young man, whose retreat the prince likewise +hoped to discover through the intervention of Mlle. +Rigolette. Although prepared to find it a difficult task, +inasmuch as it was more than probable, if the grisette +were really sufficiently in Germain's confidence to be +aware of his present abode, she also knew too well his +anxiety to conceal it to be likely to give the desired +information.</p> + +<p>By renting the chamber lately occupied by the young +man, Rodolph, besides being on the spot to follow up his +researches, considered he should also be enabled to +observe closely the different individuals inhabiting the +rest of the house.</p> + +<p>The same day on which the conversation passed between +the Baron de Graün and Murphy, Rodolph, +plainly and unpretendingly dressed, wended his way +about three o'clock, on a gloomy November afternoon, +towards the Rue du Temple.</p> + +<p>Situated in a district of much business and dense population, +the house in question had nothing remarkable +in its appearance; it was composed of a ground floor, +occupied by a man keeping a low sort of dram-shop, and +four upper stories, surmounted by attics. A dark and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</a></span> +narrow alley led to a small yard, or, rather, a species +of square well, of about five or six feet in width, completely +destitute of either air or light, and serving as +a pestilential receptacle for all the filth thrown by the +various occupants of the respective chambers from the +unglazed sashes with which each landing-place was +provided.</p> + +<p>At the bottom of a damp, dismal-looking staircase, +a glimmering light indicated the porter's residence, rendered +smoky and dingy by the constant burning of +a lamp, requisite, even at midday, to enlighten the +gloomy hole, into which Rodolph entered for the purpose +of asking leave to view the apartment then +vacant.</p> + +<p>A lamp, placed behind a glass globe filled with water, +served as a reflector; and by its light might be seen, at +the far end of the "lodge" (as in courtesy it was styled), +a bed, covered with a sort of patchwork counterpane, +exhibiting a mingled mass of every known colour and +material. A walnut-tree table graced the side of the +room, bearing a variety of articles suited to the taste +and ornamental notions of its owners. First in order +appeared a little waxen Saint John, with a very fat lamb +at his feet, and a large peruke of flowing white curls on +his head, the whole enclosed in a cracked glass case, the +joinings of which were ingeniously secured by slips of +blue paper; secondly, a pair of old plated candlesticks, +tarnished by time, and bearing, instead of lights, two +gilded oranges,—doubtless an offering to the porteress +on the last New Year's day; and, thirdly, two boxes, the +one composed of variegated straw, the other covered +with multitudinous shells, but both smelling strongly of +the galleys or house of correction<a name="FNanchor_1_10" id="FNanchor_1_10"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_10" class="fnanchor">[10]</a> (let us hope, for +the sake of the morality of the porteress in the Rue du +Temple, that these precious specimens were not presented<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</a></span> +to her from the original owners and fabricators +of them); and, lastly, between the two boxes, and +just beneath a circular clock, was suspended a pair of +red morocco dress-boots, small enough for the feet of +fairies, but elaborately and skilfully designed and completed. +This <i>chef-d'œuvre</i>, as the ancient masters of the +craft would style them, joined to the fantastic designs +sketched on the walls representing boots and shoes, +abundantly indicated that the porter of this establishment +devoted his time and his talents to the repairing +of shoes and shoe leather.</p> + +<div class="footnotes"> +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_1_10" id="Footnote_1_10"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_10"><span class="label">[10]</span></a> These boxes were the exclusive manufacture of the criminals confined +either in the galleys or prisons, and who spent nearly all their spare hours in +making them.</p></div> +</div> + +<p>At the instant when Rodolph ventured into the +smoky den, M. Pipelet, the porter, temporarily absent, +had left his better half, Madame Pipelet, as his representative. +This individual was seated by the stove in +the centre of the lodge, deeply engrossed in watching +the boiling of a pot placed over it. The description of +Madame Pipelet may be given in a few words. She was +the most ugly, forbidding, wrinkled, toothless old hag +one might meet in the course of a long life. Her dress +was dirty, tawdry, and untidy; while her head-dress was +composed of a Brutus wig, originally of a blond colour, +but changed by time into every shade of red, brown, and +yellow, the stiff ends of the perished hair standing out +like the ears of wheat in a wheat-sheaf. Much did Madame +Pipelet pride herself upon this tasteful covering to +her sexagenarian skull; nor was it believed she ever +laid it aside, whether sleeping or waking.</p> + +<p>At the sight of Rodolph the porteress inquired, in a +surly tone:</p> + +<p>"Well, and pray what do you want?"</p> + +<p>"I believe, madame," replied Rodolph, laying a profound +emphasis on the word madame, "I believe there is +an apartment to be let in this house?"</p> + +<p>The deep respect implied in his voice and words somewhat +mollified the porteress, who answered, rather less +sourly:</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 328px;"><a name="image260" id="image260"></a> +<img src="images/i006.jpg" width="328" height="500" alt=""This Individual Was Seated by the Stove" +Original Etching by Adrian Marcel" title=""This Individual Was Seated by the Stove"" /> +<span class="caption">"<i>This Individual Was Seated by the Stove</i>"<br /> +<span class="artist">Original Etching by Adrian Marcel</span></span> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yes, there is a room to let on the fourth floor, but +you cannot see it now,—Alfred has gone out."</p> + +<p>"You are speaking of your son, I presume, madame; +may I take the liberty of asking whether he is expected +in shortly?"</p> + +<p>"I am not speaking of my son, but my husband. I +suppose there is no act of parliament why my Pipelet +should not be called 'Alfred.' Is there, pray?"</p> + +<p>"None, certainly, madame, that I am aware of; but, +with your kind permission, I will await his return. I +am very desirous of taking the vacant chamber,—both +the street and neighbourhood suit me; and the admirable +order in which the house seems kept pleases me +excessively. But, previously to viewing the lodging I +am anxious to take, I should be very glad to ascertain +whether you, madame, could do me the favour to take +the management of my little housekeeping off my +hands? I never like to have any one about me but the +authorised housekeeper belonging to the house, when +such arrangements meet with their approbation."</p> + +<p>This proposition, so flatteringly expressed, and the +word "housekeeper" completely won Madame Pipelet, +who replied:</p> + +<p>"With the greatest of pleasure, sir, I will attend to +all you require. I am sure I shall be proud to wait +upon such a gentleman; and, for the small charge of +six francs a month, you shall be treated like a prince."</p> + +<p>"Then for six francs a month, I may reckon upon +your valuable services. Will you permit me to ask your +name?"</p> + +<p>"Pomona Fortunata Anastasia Pipelet."</p> + +<p>"Well, then, Madame Pipelet, having agreed as to +your own terms, will you be pleased to tell me those for +the apartment I wish to engage?"</p> + +<p>"With the adjoining small closet, one hundred and +fifty francs a month,—not a farthing less. The principal +lessee is a screw,—a regular skinflint."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</a></span></p> + +<p>"What is his name?"</p> + +<p>"M. Bras Rouge."</p> + +<p>This name, and the remembrances so unexpectedly +presented by it, made Rodolph start.</p> + +<p>"I think, Madame Pipelet, you were saying that the +principal lessee of the house is——"</p> + +<p>"M. Bras Rouge."</p> + +<p>"And he lives——"</p> + +<p>"Rue aux Fêves, No. 13. He also keeps an estaminet +near the Champs Elysées."</p> + +<p>All doubt was then at an end,—it was the Bras +Rouge of infamous notoriety; and singular indeed did +the circumstance of thus coming across him strike +Rodolph.</p> + +<p>"But though M. Bras Rouge is your principal lessee, +he is not, I presume, the owner of the house; may I ask +who is?"</p> + +<p>"M. Bourdon; but I have never had communication +with any one besides M. Bras Rouge."</p> + +<p>With the design of still further ingratiating himself +with the porteress, Rodolph resumed:</p> + +<p>"My dear madame, this cold day would make a little +of something warm and comfortable very acceptable. +Might I venture to solicit the favour of your stepping +as far as the spirit-shop, kept so conveniently at hand, +and bring a bottle of cassia and two glasses? For I feel +very tired, and the cold has quite seized me. Stay, +madame, we will have three glasses, if you please; because +I hope your husband will join us when he +returns."</p> + +<p>So saying, he placed a franc in the fat, dirty hand of +the porteress.</p> + +<p>"Ah, monsieur, you are determined to make us all +fall in love with you!" cried Madame Pipelet, nodding +her approval of the commission, and thereby sending +the flush of pleasure into a face glowing with all the +fiery honours of an excited Bacchante.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</a></span></p> + +<p>"To be sure! There is nothing like a drop of really +good cordial such a day as this; and they do keep most +excellent here at hand. I'll go,—of course I will; but +I shall only bring a couple of glasses, for Alfred and I +always drink out of the same glass. Poor old darling! +he is so very nice and particular in showing all those +sort of delicate attentions to women."</p> + +<p>"Then go along, my good Madame Pipelet, and we +will wait till Alfred comes."</p> + +<p>"But, then, suppose any one wants me whilst I am +out, who will mind the lodge?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'll take care of the lodge."</p> + +<p>The old woman departed on her agreeable errand.</p> + +<p>At the termination of a few minutes the postman +tapped at the lodge window, and putting his hand into +the apartment, presented two letters, merely saying, +"Three sous."</p> + +<p>"Six sous, you mean, for two letters," replied Rodolph.</p> + +<p>"One is free," answered the man.</p> + +<p>Having paid and dismissed the postman, Rodolph +mechanically examined the two letters thus committed +to his charge; but at a further glance they seemed to +him worthy a more attentive observation. The epistle +addressed to Madame Pipelet exhaled through its hot-pressed +envelope a strong odour of Russia leather; it +bore, on a seal of red wax, the initials "C. R." surmounted +by a helmet, and supported by a cross of the +Legion of Honour. The direction was written in a firm, +bold hand. The heraldic device of the commingled +casque and cross made Rodolph smile, and confirmed +him in the idea that the writer of the letter in question +was not a female. Who was this scented, emblazoned +correspondent of old Anastasia Pipelet? Rodolph felt +an undefinable curiosity to know. The other epistle, +written upon coarse and common paper, was united only +by a common wafer, pricked over with the point of a +pin, and was addressed to "M. César Bradamanti, Operating<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</a></span> +Dentist." Evidently disguised, the superscription +was entirely composed of capital letters. Whether +founded on a true or false presage, this letter seemed to +Rodolph to wear a mournful look, as though evil or +misery were contained within its shabby folds. He perceived +that some of the letters in the direction were +fainter than the others, and that the paper there seemed +a little rumpled: a tear had evidently fallen upon it.</p> + +<p>Madame Pipelet returned, bearing the bottle of cassia +and two glasses.</p> + +<p>"I have dawdled,—have I not, monsieur?" said she, +gaily. "But let you once get into that good Père +Joseph's shop, and it is hard work to get out again. +Oh, that old man is a very insinuating——"</p> + +<p>"Here, madame," interrupted Rodolph, "here are two +letters the postman left while you were gone."</p> + +<p>"Dear me! Two letters! Pray excuse me, monsieur. +I suppose you paid for them?"</p> + +<p>"I did."</p> + +<p>"You are very good. I tell you what, then, we will +settle that out of the first money you have to pay me; +how much was it?"</p> + +<p>"Three sous," answered Rodolph, much amused at +the ingenious method of reimbursement employed by +Madame Pipelet. "But may I, without offence, observe +that one of the letters is addressed to you, and that you +possess in the writer a correspondent whose <i>billets-doux</i> +are marvellously well perfumed?"</p> + +<p>"Let us see what it is about," said the porteress, taking +the epistle in the scented envelope. "Yes, upon my +word, it is scented up like a real <i>billet-doux!</i> Now, I +should very much like to know who would dare write +<i>me</i> a love-letter! He must be a villain!"</p> + +<p>"And suppose it had fallen into your husband's +hands, Madame Pipelet?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, for goodness' sake don't mention that, or I +shall faint away in your arms! But how stupid I am!<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</a></span> +Now I know all about it," replied the fat porteress, +shrugging her shoulders. "To be sure! to be sure! +it comes from the Commandant! Lord bless me, +what a fright I have had! for Alfred is as jealous as +a Turk."</p> + +<p>"Here is another letter addressed to M. César +Bradamanti."</p> + +<p>"Ah! to be sure, the dentist on the third floor. I +will put it in the letter-boot."</p> + +<p>Rodolph fancied he had not caught the right words, +but, to his astonishment, he saw Madame Pipelet +gravely throw the letter alluded to into an old top-boot +hanging up against the wall. He looked at her +with surprise.</p> + +<p>"Do you mean," said he at length, "to put the +gentleman's letter in——"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, that is all right," replied the porteress. +"I have put it in the letter-boot,—there, you see. So +now nobody's letters can be mislaid; and when the different +lodgers return home, Alfred or myself turns the +boot upside down,—we sort them out, and everybody +gets his own."</p> + +<p>So saying, the porteress proceeded to break the seal +of the letter addressed to her; which having done, she +turned it round and round, looked at it in every direction, +then, after a short appearance of embarrassment +and uncertainty, she said to Rodolph:</p> + +<p>"Alfred generally reads my letters for me, because I +do not happen to be able to read them myself; perhaps +you would not mind just looking over this for me?"</p> + +<p>"With the utmost pleasure!" quickly replied Rodolph, +curious to dive into the mysteries of who Madame +Pipelet's correspondent might be; and forthwith +he read what follows, written upon hot-pressed paper, +stamped in its right-hand corner with the helmet, the letters +"C. R.," the heraldic supporters, and the cross of +honour.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>"To-morrow (Friday), about eleven o'clock, let there be a +good (not an overfierce) fire lighted in both rooms; have everything +well dusted, and remove the coverings from the furniture, +taking especial care not to scratch the gilding, or to soil or +burn the carpet while lighting the fires. If I should not be in +about one o'clock, when a lady will arrive in a hackney-coach +and inquire for me by the name of M. Charles, let her be shown +up to the apartment; after which the key is to be taken down-stairs +again, and kept till my arrival."</p> +</div> + +<p>Spite of the want of finished composition displayed in +this <i>billet</i>, Rodolph perfectly comprehended to whom +and what it alluded, and merely added, after perusing +it:</p> + +<p>"Who lives on the first floor, then?"</p> + +<p>The old woman placed her yellow, shrivelled finger +upon her pendulous lip, and replied, by a half-malicious +grin:</p> + +<p>"Hush! There is a woman in the way,—silence!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, my dear Madame Pipelet, I merely asked because, +before living in a house, one likes to know a +little."</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes! Of course, everybody likes to know all +they can; that is all fair enough; and I am sure I have +no objection to tell you all I know myself, and that is +but very little. Well, but to begin. About six weeks +ago a carpet-maker came here to look at the first floor, +which was then to let, and to ask the price, and other +particulars about it. Next day he came again, accompanied +by a young man of fair complexion, small moustaches, +and wearing a cross of honour and very fine +linen. The carpet-maker called him commandant."</p> + +<p>"A military man, I suppose?" said Rodolph.</p> + +<p>"Military!" exclaimed Madame Pipelet, with a chuckle. +"Not he! Why, Alfred might as well call himself porter +to a prince."</p> + +<p>"How so?"</p> + +<p>"Why, he is only in the National Guard! The carpet-maker +only called him commandant to flatter him:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[Pg 267]</a></span> +just the same as it tickles up Alfred's vanity to be styled +<i>concierge</i> instead of porter. So when the commandant +(that is the only name we know him by) had +looked over the rooms, he said to the upholsterer, his +friend, 'Well, I think the place will do for me,—just see +the landlord, and arrange all about it.' 'Yes, commandant,' +says the other. And the very next day the +upholsterer-man signed the lease with M. Bras Rouge +(in his own name, mind you); and, further, paid six +months in advance, because, he said, the gentleman did +not wish to be bored about references. And such a +power of fine furniture as was sent into the first floor! +<i>Sophesus</i> (sarcophagus) curtains, all silk; glasses set in +gold, and everything you can mention, all beautiful +enough to astonish you; just, for all the world, like one +of them grand cafes on the Boulevards! As for the +carpets,—oh, you never trod on the like of them, I'll be +bound. Put your foot on them, and you'd fancy you +was stepping on velvet, and take it off again for fear of +spoiling it. When everything was completed, the commandant +came to look at it,—just to see if he could find +out anything more he wanted; but he could not. So +then he spoke to Alfred, and says he, 'Could you take +charge of my rooms and keep them in nice order, light +fires from time to time, and get them ready for me when +I wish to occupy them? I shall not be here often,' says +he, 'and would always write you a line before coming, +to give you time to prepare them.' 'Yes, commandant, +I can,' answers my flatterer of an Alfred. 'And what +shall you charge?' 'Twenty francs a month, commandant.' +'Twenty francs!' exclaimed the commandant. +'Why, porter, you are jesting, surely!' And hereupon +he began bating Alfred down in the most shabby manner, +trying to squeeze poor people like us out of two or +three miserable francs, when he had been squandering +thousands in fitting up his grand apartments, which, +after all, he did not mean to live in! However, after a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[Pg 268]</a></span> +deal of battling, we got twelve francs a month out of him,—a +paltry, pitiful, two-farthing captain! What a difference, +now, between you and him!" added the porteress, +addressing Rodolph with an admiring glance. "You +don't call yourself fine names and titles,—you only look +like a plain body,—you must be poor, or you would not +perch yourself on the fourth floor; and yet you agreed +with me for six francs, without attempting to bate me +down!"</p> + +<p>"And when did the commandant pay you his next +visit?"</p> + +<p>"I'll tell you,—and good fun it is, too. My gentleman +must have been nicely choused by somebody. Three +times did he write (same as to-day), ordering us to light +a fire and have everything ready for the reception of a +lady he expected would come. Come! Yes, I daresay +he may expect a long time first, I rather think."</p> + +<p>"Nobody came then?"</p> + +<p>"Listen. The first time the commandant arrived, +strutting and swelling like a turkey-cock, humming and +singing, after his manner, all the gay tunes of the day, +walking up and down his fine room with his hands stuck +in his pockets, and occasionally stopping to arrange his +hair before the glass,—we were watching him all the +time. Well, this went on for two or three hours, when, I +suppose, he knew it was no use waiting any longer; so +he came down-stairs very softly, and with quite a different +manner to the pride and consequence he had marched +up with. By way of teasing him, Pipelet and I went out +to him and said, 'Commandant, there has been no lady +whatever to inquire for you,' 'Very well! Very well!' +exclaimed he, half mad and half ashamed of being +laughed at, and, buttoning up his coat, he walked off as +fast as he could. The next time, before he came himself, +a small note was brought here by a man, directed to +M. Charles; I strongly suspected he was done again, and +Pipelet and me were enjoying a hearty good laugh over it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[Pg 269]</a></span> +when the commandant arrived. 'Captain,' says I, putting +the back of my hand up to my wig, by way of military +salute, 'here is a letter for you, but I am afraid it contains +news of a second countermarch against you.' He +looked at me sour as a crab, snatched the letter from my +hand, read it, turned scarlet as a boiled lobster, then +walked off, pretending to whistle; but he was finely +vexed,—ready to hang himself, I could see he was,—and +it was rare nuts to me. 'Go, and swallow +that pill, my two-farthing captain,' says I to myself; 'that +serves you right for only giving twelve francs a month +for minding your apartments.'"</p> + +<p>"And the third time?"</p> + +<p>"Ah, the third time I really thought it was all +right. The commandant arrived more stuck up with +pride than ever; his eyes staring with self-satisfied +admiration at himself and the certainty of not being +disappointed this time. Let me tell the truth about +him; he really is a good-looking man, and dresses well, +though he stinks of musk like a civet cat. Well, there +was my gentleman arrayed in all his finery, and scarcely +condescending to look at us poor folks; he seemed as +though he conferred a favour on the earth by deigning +to walk on it, and went, sticking his nose into the air, +as if he meant to touch the clouds with it. He took +the key, and said to us, as he passed up-stairs, in a +jeering, self-complacent tone, as though to revenge himself +for having been laughed at twice before, 'You will +direct the lady to my apartments when she comes.' +Well, Pipelet and I were so anxious to see the lady he +expected, though we did not much reckon upon her +keeping her appointment, even if she ever made one, +that we went and hid ourselves behind the little door +that belongs to the alley; and, behold! in a short time +a blue hackney-coach, with its blinds drawn down, +stopped at the entrance to the house. 'There she +is!' says I to Alfred. 'There is his madame; let's keep<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[Pg 270]</a></span> +back a bit for fear we frighten her away.' The coachman +got off his box and opened the door. Then we +saw a female, closely covered with a black veil, and +carrying a muff; she had apparently been crying, for +she kept her handkerchief to her face; for when the +steps were let down, instead of alighting, she said some +few words to the driver, who, much surprised, shut the +door up again."</p> + +<p>"Then the lady did not get out?"</p> + +<p>"No! she threw herself back in the coach and +pressed her handkerchief tightly to her eyes. I rushed +out, and before the coachman had time to get on his +seat again, I called out, 'Hallo, there, coachy! are you +going back again?' 'Yes,' says he. 'Where?' says +I. 'Where I came from,' answers he. 'And where +did you come from?' asks I again. 'From the Rue +St. Dominique, corner of the Rue Belle Chasse.'"</p> + +<p>Rodolph started at these words. His dearest friend, +the Marquis d'Harville, who, as elsewhere stated, had +been for some time labouring under a deep melancholy +none could penetrate, lived in the very place just mentioned +by Madame Pipelet. Could this mysterious +female in the blue <i>fiacre</i> be the Marquise d'Harville? +And was it from the lightness and frivolity of her conduct +that the mind of her excellent husband was bowed +down by doubts and misgivings? These painful suggestions +crowded on Rodolph's mind, but, although well +acquainted with all the various guests received by the +marquise, he could recollect no one answering the description +of the commandant; added to which, any +female might have taken a hackney-coach from that +spot without necessarily living in the street. There was +really nothing to identify the unknown of the blue <i>fiacre</i> +with Madame d'Harville, and yet a thousand vague +fears and painful suspicions crossed his mind; his +uneasy manner and deep abstraction did not escape the +porteress.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[Pg 271]</a></span></p> + +<p>"What are you thinking of, sir?" asked she at length.</p> + +<p>"I was wondering what could have induced the lady, +after coming to the very door, to change her mind so +suddenly."</p> + +<p>"There is no saying; some sudden thought,—dread +or fear,—for we poor women are but weak, cowardly +things," said the porteress, assuming a timid, frightened +manner. "Well, I think if it had been myself now, coming +secretly to visit Alfred, I should have had to try +back a great many times before I could have screwed +up my courage to venture in. But then, as for visiting +your great dons in this kind of way, I never could have +done such a thing. No, never! I am sure there is +nobody under the face of heaven can say I ever give +them the least freedom,—I should think not, indeed, +while my poor dear old darling of a husband is left."</p> + +<p>"No doubt,—no doubt, Madame Pipelet; but about +the young person you were describing in the blue +<i>fiacre?</i>"</p> + +<p>"Oh! mind, I don't know whether she was young or +old; I could not even catch a glimpse of the tip of her +nose; all I can say is she went as she came, and that +is all about it. As for Alfred and me, we were better +pleased than if we had found ten francs."</p> + +<p>"Why so?"</p> + +<p>"By enjoying the rage and confusion of the commandant +when he found himself a third time disappointed; +but, instead of going and telling him at once +that his 'madame' had been and gone, we allowed him +to fume and fret for a whole hour. Then I went softly +up-stairs with only my list slippers on. I reached his +door, which I found half shut; as I pushed against it, +it creaked; the staircase is as black as night, and the +entrance to the apartment quite as obscure. Scarcely +had I crept into the room, when the commandant caught +me in his arms, saying, in a languishing voice, 'My dearest +angel! what makes you so late?'"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[Pg 272]</a></span></p> + +<p>Spite of the serious nature of the thoughts crowding +upon his mind, Rodolph could not restrain a smile as he +surveyed the grotesque periwig and hideously wrinkled, +carbuncled visage of the heroine of this comic scene.</p> + +<p>Madame Pipelet, however, resumed her narration with +a mirthful chuckle that increased her ugliness:</p> + +<p>"That was a go, wasn't it? But stop a bit. Well, +I did not make the least reply, but, almost keeping in my +breath, I waited to see what would be the end of this +strange reception. For a minute or two the commandant +kept hugging me up, then, all of a sudden, the brute +pushed me away, exclaiming with as much disgust as +though he had touched a toad, 'Who the devil are you?' +'Me, commandant,—the porteress,—Madame Pipelet; +and, as such, I will thank you to keep your hands off my +waist, and not to call me your angel, and scold me for +being late. Suppose Alfred had heard you, a pretty business +we should have made of it!' 'What the deuce +brings you here?' cried he. 'Merely to let you know +the lady in the hackney-coach has just arrived!' 'Well, +then, you stupid old fool, show her up directly. Did +I not tell you to do so?' 'Yes, commandant; you +said I was to show her up.' 'Then why do you not obey +me?' 'Because the lady—' 'Speak out, woman, if +you can!' 'The lady has gone again.' 'Something you +have said or done, then, to offend her, I am sure!' +roared he in a perfect fury. 'Not at all, commandant. +The lady did not alight, but when the coach stopped and +the driver opened the door, she desired him to take her +back to where she came from.' 'The vehicle cannot +have got far by this time,' exclaimed the commandant, +hastening towards the door. 'It has been gone upwards +of an hour,' answered I, enjoying his fury and disappointment. +'An hour! an hour! and what, in the devil's +name, hindered you from letting me know this sooner?' +'Because, commandant, Alfred and I thought we would +spare you as long as we could the tidings of this third<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[Pg 273]</a></span> +breakdown, which we fancied might be too much for +you.' Come, thinks I, there is something to make you +remember flinging me out of your arms, as though it +made you sick to touch me. 'Begone!' bawled out the +commandant. 'You hideous old hag! You can neither +say nor do the thing that is right,' and with this he pulled +off his dressing-gown and threw his beautiful Greek cap, +made of velvet embroidered with gold, on the ground: it +was a real shame, for the cap was a downright beauty; +and as for the dressing-gown, oh, my! it would set anybody +longing. Meanwhile the commandant kept pacing +the room, with his eyes glaring like a wild beast and +glowing like two glow-worms."</p> + +<p>"But were you not afraid of losing his employ?"</p> + +<p>"He knew too well what he was about for that; we +had him in a fix, we knew where his 'madame' lived, +and had he said anything to us, we should have threatened +to expose the whole affair. And who do you think +for his beggarly twelve francs would have undertaken to +attend to his rooms,—a stranger? No! That we would +have prevented; we would soon have made the place too +hot to hold any person he might appoint,—poor, shabby +fellow that he is! What do you think? He actually had +the meanness to examine his wood and put out the quantity +he should allow to be burnt while he was away. He +is nothing but an upstart, I am sure,—a nobody, who +has suddenly tumbled into money he does not know how +to spend properly,—a rich man's head and a beggar's +body, who squanders with one hand and nips and pinches +with the other. I do not wish him any harm, but it +amuses me immensely to think how he has been befooled; +and he will go on believing and expecting from +day to day, because he is too vain to imagine he is being +laughed at. At any rate, if the lady ever comes in +reality, I will let my friend the oyster-woman next door +know; she enjoys a joke as well as I do, and is quite +as curious as myself to find out what sort of person<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[Pg 274]</a></span> +she is, whether fair or dark, pretty or plain. And—who +knows?—this woman may be cheating some easygoing +simpleton of a husband for the sake of our two-penny-halfpenny +of a commandant! Well, that is no +concern of mine, but I am sorry, too, for the poor, dear, +deceived individual, whoever he may be. Dear me! +Dear me! My pot is boiling over,—excuse me a minute, +I must just look to it. Ah, it is time Alfred was in, for +dinner is quite ready, and tripe, you know, should never +be kept waiting. This tripe is done to a turn. Do you +prefer the thick or thin tripe? Alfred likes it thick. +The poor darling has been sadly out of spirits lately, and +I got this dainty dish to cheer him up a bit; for, as Alfred +says himself, that for a bribe of good thick tripe he would +betray France itself,—his beloved France. Yes, the dear +old pet would change his country for such fine fat tripe +as this, he would."</p> + +<p>While Madame Pipelet was thus delivering her domestic +harangue upon the virtues of tripe and the powerful +influence it possessed over even the patriotism of her +husband, Rodolph was buried in the deepest and most +sombre reflections. The female, whose visits to the +house had just been detailed, be she the Marquise +d'Harville or any other individual, had evidently long +struggled with her imprudence ere she had brought herself +to grant a first and second rendezvous, and then, +terrified at the probable consequences of her imprudence, +a salutary remorse had, in all probability, prevented her +from fulfilling her dangerous engagement. It might be +that the fine person this M. Charles was described as +possessing had captivated the senses of Madame d'Harville, +whom Rodolph knew well as a woman of deep feeling, +high intellect, and superior taste, of an elevated turn +of mind, and a reputation unsullied by the faintest breath +of slander. After long and mature consideration, he succeeded +in persuading himself that the wife of his friend +had nothing to do with the unknown female in the blue<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[Pg 275]</a></span> +<i>fiacre</i>. Madame Pipelet, having completed her culinary +arrangements, resumed her conversation with Rodolph.</p> + +<p>"And who lives on the second floor?" inquired he of +the porteress.</p> + +<p>"Why, Mother Burette does,—a most wonderful +woman at fortune-telling; bless you, she can read in +your hand the same as a book, and many quite first-rate +people come to her to have the cards consulted when +they are anxious about any particular matter. She +earns her weight in gold, and that is not a trifle, for +she is a rare bundle of an old body. However, telling +fortunes is only one of her means of gaining a +livelihood."</p> + +<p>"Why, what does she do besides?"</p> + +<p>"She keeps what you would call a pawnbroker's shop +upon a small scale."</p> + +<p>"I see; your second-floor lodger lends out again the +money she derives from her skill in foretelling events by +reading the cards."</p> + +<p>"Exactly so; only she is cheaper and more easy to +deal with than the regular pawnbrokers: she does not +confuse you with a heap of paper tickets and duplicates,—nothing +of the sort. Now suppose: Some one brings +Mother Burette a shirt worth three francs; well, she +lends ten sous upon condition of being paid twenty at +the end of the week, otherwise she keeps the shirt for +ever. That is simple enough, is it not? Always in round +figures, you see,—a child could understand it. And the +odd things she has brought her as pledges you would +scarcely believe. You can hardly guess what she sometimes +is asked to lend upon. I saw her once advance +money upon a gray parrot that swore like a trooper,—the +blackguard did."</p> + +<p>"A parrot? But to what amount did she advance +money?"</p> + +<p>"I'll tell you; the parrot was well known; it belonged +to a Madame Herbelot, the widow of a factor, living<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[Pg 276]</a></span> +close by, and it was also well understood that Madame +Herbelot valued the parrot as much as she did her life. +Well, Mother Burette said to her, 'I will lend you ten +francs on your bird, but if by this day week at twelve +o'clock I do not receive twenty francs with interest (it +would amount to that in round numbers), if I am not +paid my twenty francs, with the expenses of his keep, I +shall give your Polly a trifling dose of arsenic mixed +with his food.' She knew her customer well, bless you! +However, by this threat Mother Burette received her +twenty francs at the end of seven days, and Madame +Herbelot got back her disagreeable, screaming parrot."</p> + +<p>"Mother Burette has no other way of living besides +the two you have named, I suppose?"</p> + +<p>"Not that I know of. I don't know, however, what +to say of some rather sly and secret transactions, carried +on in a small room she never allows any one to enter, +except M. Bras Rouge and an old one-eyed woman, called +La Chouette."</p> + +<p>Rodolph opened his eyes with unmixed astonishment +as these names sounded on his ear, and the porteress, +interpreting the surprise of her future lodger according +to her own notions, said:</p> + +<p>"That name would make any one stare with astonishment. +Certainly La Chouette is uncommonly odd; is it +not?"</p> + +<p>"It is, indeed. Does the woman who is so styled +come here frequently?"</p> + +<p>"We saw her the day before yesterday, for the first +time these six weeks. She was rather lame, I observed."</p> + +<p>"And what do you suppose she wants with the fortune-telling +woman?"</p> + +<p>"That I do not know; at least, as to what takes place +in the little room I was telling you of, where La Chouette +alone is admitted with M. Bras Rouge and Mother +Burette. I have, however, particularly observed that +on those occasions the one-eyed woman always has a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[Pg 277]</a></span> +large bundle with her in her basket, and that M. Bras +Rouge also carries a parcel of some size beneath his +cloak, and that they always return empty-handed."</p> + +<p>"And what can these packets contain?"</p> + +<p>"The Lord above knows, for I don't; only they kick +up the devil's own row with them, whatever they are. +And then such whiffs of sulphur, charcoal, and melted +lead, as you go up the stairs; and blow, blow, blow, like +a smith's forge. I verily believe Mother Burette has +dealings with the old one, and practises magic in this +private apartment; leastways, that is what M. César +Bradamanti, our third-floor lodger, said to me. A very +clever individual is M. César. When I say an 'individual,' +I mean an Italian, though he speaks as good +French as you or me, excepting his accent, and that is +nothing. Oh, he is very clever, indeed! knows all about +physic; and pulls out teeth, not for the sake of the +money but the honour of his profession,—yes, really, +sir, for downright honour. Now, suppose you had six +decayed teeth,—and he says the same thing to all who +choose to listen to him,—well, then he will take out five +for nothing, and only charge you for the sixth. Besides +which, he sells all manner of remedies for all sorts of +complaints,—diseases of the lungs, coughs, colds, every +complaint you can name; but then he makes his own +drugs, and he has for his assistant the son of our principal +lessee, little Tortillard. He says that his master is +going to buy himself a horse and a red coat, and to sell +his drugs in the market-places, and that young Tortillard +is to be dressed like a page and be at the drum, to +attract customers."</p> + +<p>"This seems to me a very humble occupation for the +son of your principal lessee."</p> + +<p>"Why, his father says unless he gets a pretty strong +hand over him, and a tolerably powerful taste of whipcord, +in the way of a sound thrashing, every now and +then, he is safe to come to the scaffold. And he is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[Pg 278]</a></span> +about the ugliest, most spiteful, ill-disposed young rascal +one would wish to meet: he has played more than one +abominable trick upon poor M. César Bradamanti, who +is the best creature possible; for he cured Alfred of a +rheumatic attack, and I promise you we have not forgotten +it. Yet there are some people wicked enough +to—But no, I will not tell you: it would make the +hair of your head stand on end. As Alfred says, if it +were true, it would send him to the galleys."</p> + +<p>"Why, what do they accuse him of?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I really cannot tell you! I can't, indeed; for it +is so—"</p> + +<p>"Then we will drop the subject."</p> + +<p>"And to say such things of a young man! Upon my +life and soul, it is too bad."</p> + +<p>"Pray, Madame Pipelet, do not give yourself the +trouble of saying any more about it: let us speak of +other matters."</p> + +<p>"Why, I don't know but, as you are to live in the +house, it is only fair and right to prepare you for any +falsehoods you may hear. I suppose you are sufficiently +well off to make the acquaintance of M. César Bradamanti, +and unless you are put on your guard against +these reports, they might lead to your breaking off with +him. So, just put your ear down and I'll whisper what +it is people say about him."</p> + +<p>And the old woman, in a low tone, muttered a few +words as Rodolph inclined his head; he started from +her, with mingled disgust and horror.</p> + +<p>"Impossible!" exclaimed he. "Surely human nature +is not capable of such crimes!"</p> + +<p>"Shocking! Is it not? But treat it as I do,—all +scandal and lies. What, do you think the man who +cured Alfred's rheumatism,—who draws five teeth out +of six for nothing,—who has testimonies (testimonials) +from every prince and king in the world,—and, above +all, pays as he goes, down on the nail, would go for to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[Pg 279]</a></span> +do such things? Not he! I'll stake my blessed life +upon it."</p> + +<p>While Madame Pipelet thus vented her indignant +opinion concerning the reports in circulation, Rodolph +recalled to his memory the letter he had seen addressed +to the quack dentist; he remembered the counterfeited +writing and the coarse, common paper, stained with tears, +which had well-nigh obliterated part of the address,—too +well did he see in the mysterious grief-stained epistle +the opening of a drama of deep and fearful import; and +while these sad presages filled his mind, a powerful +impression whispered within him that the dreadful +doings ascribed to the Italian were not altogether +unfounded.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I declare, here comes Alfred!" exclaimed the +porteress. "Now he will tell you his opinion of all +these spiteful stories about poor M. Bradamanti. Bless +you! Alfred thinks him as innocent as a lamb, ever +since he cured his rheumatics."</p> + +<p>M. Pipelet entered the lodge with a grave, magisterial +air. He was about sixty years of age, comfortably fat, +with a large, broad countenance, strongly resembling in +its cast and style the faces carved upon the far-famed +nutcrackers of Nuremberg; a nose, of more than ordinary +proportions, helping to complete the likeness. An +old and dingy-looking hat, with a very deep brim, surmounted +the whole. Alfred, who adhered to this upper +ornament as tenaciously as his wife did to her Brutus +wig, was further attired in an ancient green coat, with +immense flaps turned up with grease,—if so might be +described the bright and shiny patches of long-accumulated +dirt, which had given an entirely different hue +to some portions of the garment. But, though clad in a +hat and coat esteemed by Pipelet and his wife as closely +resembling full dress, Alfred had not laid aside the modest +emblem of his trade, but from his waist uprose the +buff-coloured triangular front of his leathern apron,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[Pg 280]</a></span> +partly concealing a waistcoat boasting nearly as great a +variety of colours as did the patchwork counterpane of +Madame Pipelet.</p> + +<p>The porter's recognition of Rodolph as he entered was +gracious in the extreme; but, alas! he smiled a melancholy +welcome, and his countenance and languid air +marked a man of secret sorrow.</p> + +<p>"Alfred," said Madame Pipelet, when she had introduced +her two companions, "here is a gentleman after +the apartment on the fourth floor, and we have only been +waiting for you to drink a glass of cordial he sent for."</p> + +<p>This delicate attention won for Rodolph the entire +trust and confidence of the melancholy porter, who, +touching the brim of his hat, said, in a deep bass voice +worthy of being employed in a cathedral:</p> + +<p>"We shall give the gentleman every satisfaction as +porters, and, doubtless, he will act the same by us as a +lodger; 'birds of a feather flock together,' as the proverb +says." Then, interrupting himself, M. Pipelet anxiously +added, "Providing, sir, you are not a painter!"</p> + +<p>"No, I am not a painter, but a plain merchant's +clerk."</p> + +<p>"My most humble duty to you, sir. I congratulate +you that Nature did not make you one of those monsters +called artists."</p> + +<p>"Artists, monsters!" returned Rodolph. "Tell me, +pray, why you style them so."</p> + +<p>Instead of replying, M. Pipelet elevated his clasped +hands towards the ceiling, and allowed a heavy sound, +between a grunt and a groan, to escape his overcharged +breast.</p> + +<p>"You must know, sir," said Madame Pipelet, in a +low tone, to Rodolph, "that painters have embittered +Alfred's life; they have worried my poor old dear +almost out of his senses, and made him half stupefied, +as you see him now." Then speaking loud, she added, +in a caressing tone, "Oh, never mind the blackguard,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[Pg 281]</a></span> +there's a dear, but try and forget all about it, or you +will be ill, and unable to eat the nice tripe I have got +for your dinner."</p> + +<p>"Let us hope I shall have courage and firmness enough +for all things," replied M. Pipelet, with a dignified and +resigned air; "but he has done me much harm; he has +been my persecutor, almost my executioner,—long have +I suffered, but now I despise him! Ah," said he, turning +to Rodolph, "never allow a painter to enter your +doors; they are the plague—the ruin—the destruction +of a house!"</p> + +<p>"You have, then, had a painter lodging with you, I +presume?"</p> + +<p>"Unhappily, sir, I did have one," replied M. Pipelet, +with much bitterness, "and that one named Cabrion. +Ah!"</p> + +<p>At the recollections brought back by this name, the +porter's declaration of courage and endurance utterly +failed him, and again his clenched fists were raised, as +though to invoke the vengeance he had so lately described +himself as despising.</p> + +<p>"And was this individual the last occupant of the +chamber I am about engaging?" inquired Rodolph.</p> + +<p>"No, no! The last lodger was an excellent young man +named M. Germain. No, this Cabrion had the room +before he came. Ah, sir, since Cabrion left, he has all +but driven me stark staring mad!"</p> + +<p>"Did you, then, so much regret him?" asked Rodolph.</p> + +<p>"Regret him! Regret Cabrion!" screamed the +astounded porter; "why, only imagine, M. Bras Rouge +paid him two quarters' rent to induce him to quit the +place, for, unluckily, he had taken his apartments for a +term. What a scamp he was! You have no idea of the +horrible tricks he played off upon all the lodgers as well +as us. Why, just to give you one little proof of his villainy, +there was hardly a single wind instrument he did +not make use of as a sort of annoyance to the lodgers;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[Pg 282]</a></span> +from the French horn to the flageolet, he made use of +all, and even carried his rascality so far as to play false +and to keep blowing the same note for hours together; +it was enough to worry one out of one's senses. Well, I +suppose there were upwards of twenty different petitions +sent to our chief lessee, M. Bras Rouge, to turn the beggar +out; and, at last, he was only got rid of by paying him +two quarters' rent,—rather droll, is it not, for a landlord +to pay his lodger? But, bless you, the house was so upset +by him that he might have had any price so he would +but take himself off; however, he <i>did</i> go. And now you +suppose we were clear of M. Cabrion? I'll tell you. +Next night, about eleven o'clock, I was in bed, when +rap, rap, rap, comes to the gate. I pulls up the string,—somebody +walks up to my door, 'How do you do, porter?' +says a voice; 'will you oblige me with a lock of your +hair?' 'Somebody has mistaken the door,' says my +wife. So I calls out to the stranger, 'You are wrong, +friend, you want next door.' 'I think not,' returns the +voice; 'this is No. 17, is it not, and the porter's name +is Pipelet? I'm all right; so please to open the door +and oblige me with a lock of your beautiful hair.' 'My +name is Pipelet, certainly,' answers I. 'Well, then, +friend Pipelet, Cabrion has sent me for a piece of your +hair; he says he must and he will have it.'"</p> + +<p>As Pipelet uttered the last words he gave his head a +mournful shake, and, folding his arms, assumed an attitude +of martyrlike resolution.</p> + +<p>"Do you perceive, sir? He sends to me, his mortal +enemy, whom he overwhelmed with insults and continually +outraged in every way, to beg a lock of my hair,—a +favour which even ladies have been known to refuse +to a lover!"</p> + +<p>"But, supposing this Cabrion had been as good a +lodger as was M. Germain," replied Rodolph, with some +difficulty preserving the gravity of countenance, "do +you think you might have accorded him the favour?"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[Pg 283]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Not to the best lodger that treads shoe-leather would +I grant a similar request," replied the man in the flapped +hat, waving it majestically over his brows as he spoke; +"it is contrary to my principles and habits to give my +hair to any one,—only I should have refused with the +most scrupulous regard to politeness."</p> + +<p>"That is not all," chimed in the porteress. "Only +conceive, sir, the abominable conduct of that Cabrion, +who, from morning to night, at all hours and at all +times, sends a swarm of vagabonds like himself to ask +Alfred for a lock of his hair,—always for Cabrion!"</p> + +<p>"Ah, monsieur," sighed out poor Pipelet, "had I +committed the most atrocious crimes, my sleep could +not have been rendered more broken and unrefreshing; +scarcely do I fall into a doze than I wake starting with +the idea of being called by that cursed Cabrion! I suspect +everybody,—in each person who approaches me I +see an emissary from my persecutor come to request a +lock of my hair. I am losing my good spirits, my +temper, and becoming gloomy, suspicious, peevish, and +ill-natured. This infernal Cabrion has murdered my +whole life!"</p> + +<p>And Pipelet heaved so profound a sigh that his hat, +vibrating for some time from the consequences of the +convulsive shake of the head occasioned thereby, fell +forward and completely veiled his care-stricken features.</p> + +<p>"I can well understand, now," said Rodolph, "that +you are not particularly partial to painters; but I suppose +the M. Germain you were praising so highly made +up for the bad treatment you received from M. Cabrion?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, sir; as I told you, M. Germain was a +delightful young man, so honourable and kind-hearted, +open as the day, and ever ready to serve and oblige; he +was cheerful and merry as need be, but then he always +kept his high spirits within proper bounds instead of +worrying people to death by his unmeaning hoaxes, like +that Cabrion, who I wish was at the devil!"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[Pg 284]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Come, come, my good M. Pipelet, I must not let +you thus excite yourself; and who, now, is the person +fortunate enough to possess such a pattern of a lodger +as this M. Germain seems to have been?"</p> + +<p>"That is more than I can tell you; no one knows +whither he has gone, nor are they likely, except, indeed, +through Mlle. Rigolette."</p> + +<p>"And who is Mlle. Rigolette?" demanded Rodolph.</p> + +<p>"Why, she is a needlewoman, also living on the +fourth floor," cried Madame Pipelet; "another pattern +lodger, always pays her rent in advance, and keeps her +little chamber so nice and clean; then she is well behaved +to every one, so merry and happy, like a bird, though, +poor thing! very like a caged bird, obliged to work +early and late to earn two francs a day, and often not +half that, let her try ever so hard."</p> + +<p>"How does it happen that Mlle. Rigolette should +be the only person entrusted with the secret of M. +Germain's present abode?"</p> + +<p>"Why, when he was going away, he came to us and +said," returned Madame Pipelet, "'I do not expect any +letters; but if, by chance, any should come, please to +give them to Mlle. Rigolette.' And she is well worthy +of his confidence, if his letters were filled with gold; +don't you think so, Alfred?"</p> + +<p>"The fact is," said the porter, in a severe tone, "that +I know no harm of Mlle. Rigolette, excepting her permitting +herself to be wheedled over by that vile scamp, +Cabrion."</p> + +<p>"But you know, Alfred, that nothing more than a few +harmless attentions passed between them," interrupted +the porteress; "for, though Mlle. Rigolette is as +merry as a kitten, she is as prudent and correct as I +am myself. You should see the strong bolts she has +inside her door; and if her next-door neighbour will +make love to her, that is not her fault; it follows as a +matter of course when people are so close to each other.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[Pg 285]</a></span> +It was just the same with the travelling-clerk we had +here before Cabrion, and so it was when M. Germain +took the room this abominable painter occupied. So, as +I say, there is no blame to Mlle. Rigolette; it arises +out of the two rooms joining one another so closely,—naturally +that brings about a little flirtation, but nothing +more."</p> + +<p>"So, then, it becomes a matter of course, does it," +said Rodolph, "that every one who occupies the apartment +I am to have should make love to Mlle. Rigolette?"</p> + +<p>"Why, of course, monsieur; how can you be good +neighbours without it,—don't you see? Now, imagine +yourself lodging in the very next room to a nice, pretty, +obliging young person, like Mlle. Rigolette; well, then, +young people will be young people,—sometimes you +want a light, sometimes a few live coals to kindle +up your fire, maybe a little water,—for one is sure +always to find plenty of fresh spring water at Mlle. +Rigolette's, she is never without it; it is her only +luxury,—she is like a little duck, always dabbling in it; +and if she does happen to have a little leisure, such a +washing down of floors and cleaning of windows! Never +the least soil or neglect about either herself or her +apartment, and so you will find."</p> + +<p>"And so M. Germain, by reason of his close proximity +to Mlle. Rigolette, became what you style upon perfectly +neighbourly terms with her?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, bless you, yes! Why, the two seemed cut out for +each other, so young and so good-looking! It was quite +a pleasure to look at them as they came down-stairs of +a Sunday to take the only walk, poor things! they could +afford themselves throughout the week; she dressed in a +smart little cap and a gown that cost, probably, not more +than twenty-five sous the ell, but made by herself, and +that so tastily that it became her as much as though it +had been of satin; he, mind ye, dressed and looking like +a regular gentleman."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[Pg 286]</a></span></p> + +<p>"And M. Germain has not been to see Mlle. Rigolette, +I suppose, since he quitted the house?"</p> + +<p>"No, monsieur; unless on Sunday, for Mlle. Rigolette +has no time during the other six days of the +week to think of sweethearting. Why, the poor girl +rises at five or six o'clock, and works incessantly till ten +or eleven o'clock at night, never once leaving her room +except for a few minutes in the morning, when she goes +out to buy food for herself and her two canary-birds; +and the three eat but very little, just a penn'orth of milk, +a little bread, some chickweed, bird-seed, and clear fresh +water, and the whole three of them sing away as merrily +as though they fared ever so sumptuously. And Mlle. +Rigolette is kind and charitable, too, as far as lies +in her power; that is to say, she gives her time, her +sleep, and her services; for, poor girl! she can scarcely +manage to keep herself by working closely for twelve hours +a day. Those poor, unfortunate creatures in the attics, +whom M. Bras Rouge is going to turn into the streets in +two or three days' time, if even he wait so long,—why, +Mlle. Rigolette and M. Germain sat up with the children +night after night!"</p> + +<p>"You have a distressed family, then, here?"</p> + +<p>"Distressed! Oh, God bless you, my good sir, I think +we have, indeed. Why, there are five young children, +an almost dying mother, an idiotic grandmother, and +their only support a man who, though he slaves like a +negro, cannot even get bread enough to eat,—and a capital +workman he is, too; three hours' sleep out of the +twenty-four is all he allows himself,—and what sleep it +is! broken by his children crying for food, by the groans +of his sick wife tossing on her miserable straw bed, or +the idiotic screams of the poor bedridden old grandmother, +who sometimes howls like a wolf,—from hunger, +too,—for, poor creature! she has not sense or reason to +know better, and when she gets very hungry you may +hear cries and screams all down the staircase."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[Pg 287]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Horrible!" exclaimed Rodolph, with a shudder; +"and does no one afford them any assistance?"</p> + +<p>"Truly, sir, we do all we can; we are but poor ourselves; +however, since the commandant has allowed me +his paltry twelve francs a month for looking after his +apartments, I have managed once a week to make a +little broth for these poor, unfortunate creatures. Mlle. +Rigolette deprives herself of her night's rest, and sits up, +poor girl (though it burns her candles), contriving out +of one bit and the other of her cutting out, to make up +a few clothes for the children; sometimes from the +morsels left of her work she manages a small nightcap +or gown; and M. Germain, who had not a franc more +than he knew what to do with, used to pretend, from +time to time, that he had received a present of a few bottles +of wine from his friends; and Morel (that is the +name of the workman with the sick family) was sure to be +invited to share it with him; and it was really wonderful +to see how refreshed and strengthened poor Morel +used to seem after M. Germain had made him take a +good pull at his wine, to put, as he used to say, a little +life and soul into his half-exhausted body."</p> + +<p>"And the surgeon-dentist, what did he do for this +wretched family?"</p> + +<p>"M. Bradamanti?" said the porter. "Ah! he cured +my rheumatism, and I owe him my eternal gratitude; +but from that day I said to my wife, 'Anastasia, M. +Bradamanti'—hum!—hum!—did I not say so, +Anastasia?"</p> + +<p>"Exactly; that is precisely what you did say."</p> + +<p>"But I want to know what this M. Bradamanti did +to assist the poor starving beings in your garrets."</p> + +<p>"Why, you see, monsieur, when I mentioned to M. +Bradamanti the misery and utter destitution of poor +Morel—by the way, he first began the conversation by +complaining that the raving and screaming of the old +idiot woman throughout the night for food prevented<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[Pg 288]</a></span> +him from sleeping, and that he found it very unpleasant; +however, he listened to my description of the state the +whole family was in, and then he said, 'Well, if they +are so much distressed, you may tell them that if they +want any teeth drawn, I will excuse them paying even +for the sixth.'"</p> + +<p>"I tell you what, Madame Pipelet," said Rodolph, "I +have a decidedly bad opinion of this man. And your +female pawnbroker, was she more charitable?"</p> + +<p>"Very much after the fashion of M. Bradamanti," +said the porteress; "she lent a few sous upon their +wretched clothes; every garment they had has passed +into her hands, and even their last mattress; but they +were not long coming to the last, for they never had but +two."</p> + +<p>"But she gave them no further aid?"</p> + +<p>"Help them, poor creatures! Not she. Mother +Burette is as great a brute in her way as her lover, +M. Bras Rouge, is in his; for between you and I," +added the porteress, with an uncommonly knowing wink +of the eye and sagacious shake of the head, "there is +something rather tender going on between these two."</p> + +<p>"Really!" cried Rodolph.</p> + +<p>"I think so,—I do, upon my life. And why not? +Why, the folks in St. Martin are as loving as the rest +of the world; are they not, my old pet?"</p> + +<p>A melancholy shake of the head, which produced a +corresponding motion in the huge black hat, was M. +Pipelet's only answer. As for Madame Pipelet, since she +had begun expressing sympathy for the poor sufferers +in the attics, her countenance had ceased to strike +Rodolph as repulsive, and he even thought it wore an +agreeable expression.</p> + +<p>"And what is this poor Morel's trade?"</p> + +<p>"A maker of false jewelry; he works by the piece; +but, dear me! that sort of work is so much imitated, +and so cheaply got up that—For a man can but<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[Pg 289]</a></span> +work his best, and he cannot do more than he can; +besides, when you have got to find bread for seven +persons without reckoning yourself, it is rather a hard +job, I take it. And though his eldest daughter does her +best to assist the family, she has but very little in her +power."</p> + +<p>"How old is this daughter?"</p> + +<p>"About eighteen, and as lovely a young creature as you +would see in a long summer's day. She lives as servant +with an old miserly fellow, rich enough to buy and sell +half Paris,—a notary, named M. Jacques Ferrand."</p> + +<p>"M. Jacques Ferrand!" exclaimed Rodolph, surprised +at the fresh coincidence which brought under his notice +the very individual from whom, or from whose confidential +housekeeper, he expected to glean so many particulars +relative to La Goualeuse. "M. Jacques Ferrand, +who lives in the Rue du Sentier, do you mean?" +inquired he.</p> + +<p>"The very same; are you acquainted with him?"</p> + +<p>"Not at all; but he does the law business for the firm +I belong to."</p> + +<p>"Ah! then you must know that he is a regular +money-grubbing old usurer; but then, let me do the man +justice. He is strictly religious, and devout as a monk; +never absent from mass or vespers, making his Easter +offerings, and going regularly to confession. If he ever +enjoys himself, it is only along with the priests, drinking +holy water, and eating blessed bread. Oh, he is almost +a saint in the strictness of his life; but, then, his heart +is as hard as iron, and as stern and rigid towards others +as he is severe towards himself. Why, poor Louise, +daughter to our sick lodger, has been his only servant +for the last eighteen months. And what a good girl she +is! Gentle as a lamb in temper and disposition, but willing +as a horse to work; and he only gives this poor +thing, who slaves herself to death for him, eighteen +francs a month,—not a farthing more, I give you my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[Pg 290]</a></span> +word; and out of this she only keeps back six francs for +her own maintenance, and hands over the other twelve +to her starving family; that has been all their dependence +for some time past; but when seven persons have +to live upon it, it does not go far."</p> + +<p>"But what does the father earn,—I mean, provided +he is industrious?"</p> + +<p>"Industrious! God bless you, he has always overworked +himself; he is the soberest, steadiest creature +alive; and I verily believe that if he had the promise of +obtaining any favour he liked to ask of Heaven, it would +be that the day might be made doubly as long as it now +is, that he might earn bread enough to stop the cries of +his starving brats."</p> + +<p>"Then the father cannot earn enough if he were to +try ever so hard, it seems?"</p> + +<p>"Why, the poor man was ill abed for three months, +and that threw them all behind; his wife's health was +quite ruined by the fatigue of nursing him and the +severe want she experienced of common necessaries for +herself and family. She now lies in a dying state; they +have had nothing for all that period besides Louise's +wages and what they could obtain from Mother Burette +upon the few wretched articles they could dispose of. +True, the master for whom Morel had worked advanced +them a trifle, out of respect for a man he had always +found punctual and honest when he could work. But, +la! Eight people only to be found in bread, that is what +I say,—just imagine how hard it must be to keep life +and soul together upon such small means; and if you +could only see the hole they are all huddled together in—But +do not let us talk any more about that, monsieur, +for our dinner is ready, and the very thought of +their wretched garret turns my stomach. However, +happily, M. Bras Rouge is going to clear the house of +them,—when I say happily, I don't mean it ill-naturedly +in the least; but since these poor Morels have fallen into<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[Pg 291]</a></span> +such misery, and it is quite out of our power to help +them, why let them go and be miserable elsewhere; it +will be a heartache the less for us all."</p> + +<p>"But, if they are turned out from here, where will +they go to?"</p> + +<p>"Truly, I don't know."</p> + +<p>"And how much can this poor workman earn daily +when in health, and without any calls upon his time or +attention?"</p> + +<p>"Why, if he had not to attend to his old mother, +nurse his sick wife, and look after the five children, he +could earn his three or four francs a day, because +he works like a downright slave; but now that at least +three-quarters of his time are taken up with the family, +he can hardly manage to earn forty sous."</p> + +<p>"That is little, indeed,—poor creatures!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, it is easy to say poor creatures, but there are +so many equally poor creatures, that, as we can do +nothing for them, it is no use to worry ourselves about +it,—is it, Alfred? And, talking of consoling ourselves, +there stands the cassia, and we have never thought of +tasting it."</p> + +<p>"To tell you the truth, Madame Pipelet, after what I +have just heard I have no inclination to partake of it. +You and M. Pipelet must drink my health in it when I +am gone."</p> + +<p>"You are extremely kind, sir," said the porter; "but +will you not like to see the rooms up-stairs?"</p> + +<p>"I shall be glad to do so, if perfectly convenient; and, +if they suit, I will engage them at once and leave a +deposit."</p> + +<p>The porter, followed by Rodolph, emerged from the +gloomy lodge, and proceeded up-stairs.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[Pg 292]</a></span></p> +<h3>CHAPTER XXIV.</h3> + +<h5>THE FOUR STORIES.</h5> + + +<p>The damp, dark staircase looked still more gloomy +through the fog of a November day. The entrance to +each separate set of apartments in this house bore its +own peculiar and distinctive character to the observant +eye. Thus, the door conducting to those of the commandant +bore evidences of having been recently painted +in close imitation of ebony, being further set off with +a brass knob rubbed up to a most dazzling brightness, +while a gay-coloured bell-rope, finished by an enormous +tassel of scarlet silk, contrasted strongly with the mean +and shabby wall against which it hung.</p> + +<p>The door of the flight above, where dwelt the female +money-lender and dealer in divination, was singularly +characterised by the appearance of that mystical symbol +of deep wisdom and oracular knowledge, an owl, which, +stuffed to resemble life as closely as the artist could +contrive it, was nailed on a small bracket just above the +doorway; while a sort of small wicket, latticed with +wire-work, enabled all visitors to be duly scrutinised ere +they were admitted.</p> + +<p>The dwelling of the Italian charlatan, who was said +to pursue such fearful avocations, had, likewise, its whimsical +mode of designating the pursuits of its occupant, +whose name, traced in large letters formed of +horses' teeth upon a square black board, was nailed +to the entrance-door; while, instead of adopting the +classical agency of a deer's foot or a hare's pad for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[Pg 293]</a></span> +the handle of his bell, there hung dangling from the +cord the hand and arm of a dried ape,—the withered +limb, the shrivelled hand, with its five fingers, each so +distinctly preserved, and the articulation of every joint +so clearly defined, the tiny tips bearing the nails long +and taper as those of a human creature, presented a +close and hideous resemblance to the hand and arm +of a child.</p> + +<p>As Rodolph passed before a door so singularly indicative +of all his worst suspicions, he fancied he could +detect the sound of smothered sobs from within. +Then rose up a cry so full of agony, of convulsive, +irrepressible misery,—a cry as if wrung from a +breaking heart or the last wail of expiring nature, +that the whole house seemed to reëcho it. Rodolph +started; then, by a movement more rapid than thought +itself, he rushed to the door and violently pulled the bell.</p> + +<p>"What is the matter, sir?" inquired the astonished +porter.</p> + +<p>"That cry!" said Rodolph; "did you not hear it?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, I heard it; I dare say it is some person +whose teeth M. Bradamanti is taking out; perhaps he +may be taking out several,—and it is painful!"</p> + +<p>This explanation, though a probable one, did not +satisfy Rodolph as to the horrid scream which still +resounded in his ears. Though he had rung the bell +with considerable violence, no person had as yet replied +to his summons; he could distinctly hear the shutting +of several doors, and then, behind a small oval glass let +in beside the door, and on which Rodolph had mechanically +kept his eyes fixed, he saw the haggard, cadaverous +countenance of a human being; a mass of reddish hair +strongly mixed with gray, and a long beard of the same +hue, completed the hideous ensemble; the face was seen +but for an instant, and vanished as quickly as though it +had been a mere creation of fancy, leaving Rodolph in +a state of perturbation impossible to describe.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[Pg 294]</a></span></p> + +<p>Short as had been the period of this apparition's +visit, he had yet in those brief instants recalled features +precisely similar and for ever engraved on his memory,—the +eyes shining with the colour and brilliancy of the +<i>aqua marina</i> beneath their bushy sandy eyebrows, the +livid complexion, the nose thin, projecting, and curving +like an eagle's beak, with its nostrils so curiously expanded +and carved out till they exposed a portion of the nasal +cartilage, resembled closely a certain Polidori, whose +name had been so unceremoniously committed by Murphy, +in his conversation with Graün, to regions not mentionable +to polite ears. Though Rodolph had not seen Polidori +during the last sixteen or seventeen years, he had +a thousand reasons for keeping every feature well in his +remembrance. The only thing that told against the +identity of the individual he believed existed under +the disguised name of this quack dentist was the circumstance +of his having red hair, while the Polidori of +Rodolph's acquaintance had almost black. That Rodolph +experienced no wonder (always supposing his conjectures +as to the identity correct) at finding a man whose profound +learning, rare talent, and vast intelligence he well +knew, sunk to such a degradation,—it might even be infamy,—was +because he knew equally well that all these +high attainments and noble gifts were allied to such +entire perversity, such wild and irregular passions, inclinations +so corrupt, and, above all, an affected scorn and +contempt for the opinion of the world, which might lead +this man, when want and misery overtook him, to seek, +from choice, the lowest and least honourable paths of +subsistence, and to enjoy a sort of malevolent satisfaction +in the idea of him, the talented, the learned, +burying all these precious treasures beneath the ignoble +calling to which he had devoted his vast powers of mind +and body. Still, be it remembered that, spite of the +close resemblance between the charlatan surgeon-dentist +and the Polidori of bygone years, there still existed discrepancies<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[Pg 295]</a></span> +so great that Rodolph balanced, in deep uncertainty, +respecting their proving to be one and the same +person.</p> + +<p>At length, turning to Pipelet, he inquired:</p> + +<p>"How long has this M. Bradamanti been an inmate of +this house?"</p> + +<p>"About a year, sir, as nearly as I can remember,—yes, +it is a year; I recollect he took the lodgings in the +January quarter. Oh, he is a very regular and exact +lodger; he cured me of a desperate attack of rheumatism."</p> + +<p>"Madame Pipelet was telling me of the reports which +are circulated of him."</p> + +<p>"How could she be so foolish?"</p> + +<p>"Nay, pray do not fear me! I assure you I may +safely be trusted."</p> + +<p>"But, really, sir," rejoined Pipelet, "I do not think +there is the least dependence to be placed in such +reports. I do not believe them, for one. I never can +believe them; my modesty would not let me," added M. +Pipelet, turning very red, and preceding his new lodger +to the floor above.</p> + +<p>The more resolved upon clearing up his doubts in +proportion to the very great annoyance he felt that +the residence of Polidori in the same house would +prove to him, and becoming momentarily more disposed +to affix a painful solution to the enigma of the +piercing cry he had heard from the apartments of +the Italian, Rodolph bound himself by a rigid promise +to investigate the matter, so as to place it beyond +the power of a doubt, and followed the porter to the +upper floor, where was situated the chamber he was +desirous of engaging.</p> + +<p>It was easy to ascertain the abode of his next-door +neighbour Mlle. Rigolette. Thanks to the charming +gallantry of the painter, Pipelet's mortal foe, the door +of her chamber was ornamented after the manner of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[Pg 296]</a></span> +Watteau, with a panel design representing about half a +dozen fat little chubby Loves, grouped round a space +painted sky blue, and on which was traced, in pink +letters, "<i>Mademoiselle Rigolette, Dressmaker</i>." These +plump little Cupids had all a task to perform besides +encircling this important announcement. One held the +thimble of Mlle. Rigolette upon his tiny finger; another +held her scissors; a third was provided with a smoothing-iron +for her use; whilst a fourth held up a mirror, as if +to tempt the young sempstress to forsake her work for +the more gratifying view of her own pretty countenance. +The whole was surrounded with a well-chosen wreath of +flowers, whose gay colours contrasted agreeably with the +sea-green colour of the door; the whole offering a very +unfavourable contrast to the mean and shabby-looking +staircase. At the risk of opening anew the bleeding +wounds of Alfred, Rodolph ventured to observe, while +pointing to the door of Mlle. Rigolette:</p> + +<p>"This, I suppose, is the work of M. Cabrion?"</p> + +<p>"It is; he destroyed the painting of the door by daubing +it over with a parcel of fat, indecent children he +called his <i>loves</i>. Had it not been for the entreaties of +Mlle. Rigolette, and the weakness of M. Bras Rouge, I +would have scratched it all off, as well as this palette +filled with horrid monsters, with their equally abominable +master, whom you can see drawn amongst them. +You may know him by his steeple-crowned hat."</p> + +<p>And there, sure enough, on the door of the room +Rodolph was about to hire, might be seen a palette surrounded +by all kinds of odd and whimsical creatures, +the witty conceit of which might have done honour to +Callot. Rodolph followed the porter into a tolerably +good-sized room, accessible by a small entrance-closet, +or antechamber, having two windows opening into the +Rue du Temple. Some fantastic sketches from the +pencil of M. Cabrion, on the second door, had been +scrupulously respected by M. Germain. Rodolph saw +too many reasons for desiring to obtain this lodging to +hesitate further; therefore, modestly placing a couple of +francs in the hand of the porter, he said:</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 325px;"><a name="image296" id="image296"></a> +<img src="images/i007.jpg" width="325" height="500" alt=""'This, I Suppose, Is the Work of M. Cabrion'" +Etching by Mercier, after the drawing by Frank T. Merrill" title=""'This, I Suppose, Is the Work of M. Cabrion'"" /> +<span class="caption">"'<i>This, I Suppose, Is the Work of M. Cabrion</i>'"<br /> +<span class="artist">Etching by Mercier, after the drawing by Frank T. Merrill</span></span> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[Pg 297]</a></span></p> + +<p>"This chamber will exactly suit me. Here is a +deposit to complete the bargain. To-morrow I will send +in my furniture; but let me beg of you not to destroy the +merry creatures painted on the palette at the entrance. +It is really very droll! Don't you think so?"</p> + +<p>"Droll!" groaned poor Pipelet; "not I! Ah, sir, +how would you like to dream night after night that you +were being hunted by a legion of little ugly devils like +these on the door, with Cabrion at their head urging +them on, and then fancying you are trying to get away, +and cannot? Oh, I have woke all in a perspiration +from such dreams hundreds of times since that infamous +Cabrion began persecuting me."</p> + +<p>"Why, honestly speaking, I cannot say the chase +would be a very agreeable one, even though but a dream. +However, tell me, have I any need to see M. Bras +Rouge—your great man here—about renting this +apartment?"</p> + +<p>"None whatever, sir. He rarely comes near the place, +except when he has any private matters to arrange with +Mother Burette. I am the only person to treat with +about hiring apartments. I must beg the favour of your +name."</p> + +<p>"Rodolph."</p> + +<p>"Rodolph what?"</p> + +<p>"Plain Rodolph, M. Pipelet,—nothing more, if you +please."</p> + +<p>"Just as you please, sir. I did not ask from curiosity. +Every man has a right to his own free will, as well as to +decide upon the name he chooses to be called."</p> + +<p>"What do you think, M. Pipelet, as to the propriety +of my going to-morrow, as a new neighbour of Morel's, +to inquire whether I can be of any service to them? +Since my predecessor, M. Germain, was permitted to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[Pg 298]</a></span> +assist them according to <i>his</i> means, why should they not +accept of what trifling help I can afford?"</p> + +<p>"Why, sir, I see no harm in your going to call on the +Morels, because it may please the poor things; but I +hardly see much good it can do, as they are so shortly +to be turned out of the house." Then, as if suddenly +struck with a new idea, M. Pipelet exclaimed, winking at +Rodolph with what he intended should be a very facetious +and penetrating look, "I see, I see,—you mean to begin +making acquaintance with the lodgers at the top of the +house, that you may be able to work your way down +to Mlle. Rigolette. Ah, I've found you out, you see,—pretty +girl—"</p> + +<p>"Well, I think you have discovered my intentions, so +I will confess at once that I mean to try and be on +friendly terms with my agreeable neighbour."</p> + +<p>"There is no harm in that, sir,—it is customary; +only all correct, all right and honourable,—you understand. +Between you and me, I strongly suspect Mlle. +Rigolette heard us coming up-stairs, and that she is +watching to have a look as we go down. I will make a +noise purposely in locking the door; if you look sharp, +you will see her as we pass the landing." And, true to +the porter's suspicions, the door so tastefully enlivened +by the fat Cupids, <i>à la Watteau</i>, was seen to open gently, +and Rodolph had a brief view of a little, turned-up nose, +and a pair of large, staring black eyes, peeping through +the narrow space; but, as he slacked his steps, the door +was hastily shut. "I told you she was watching us," +said the porter. Then added, "Excuse me one instant, +sir; I want to step up to my warehouse."</p> + +<p>"Where is that?"</p> + +<p>"At the top of this ladder is the landing-place, on +which the door of Morel's garret opens, and in the wainscoting +of this landing is a small dark cupboard, where I +keep my leather, and the wall is so full of cracks, that +when I am in this hole I can see and hear everything,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[Pg 299]</a></span> +the same as if I was in Morel's room. Not that I wish +to spy what the poor creatures are about, God knows,—quite +the contrary. But please to excuse me for a few +minutes, sir, whilst I fetch my bit of leather. If you +will have the goodness to go down-stairs, I will rejoin +you."</p> + +<p>And, so saying, Pipelet commenced ascending the +steep ladder communicating with his warehouse, as he +styled it,—a somewhat perilous feat for a person of his +age.</p> + +<p>Rodolph, thus left alone, cast another glance towards +the chambers of Mlle. Rigolette, remembering with deep +interest all he had heard of her being the favourite +companion of the poor Goualeuse, and recalling also +the information she was said to possess touching the +residence of the Schoolmaster's son, when the sound of +some person quitting the apartments of the quack doctor +below attracted his attention, and he could distinctly +hear the light step of a female, with the rustling of a +silk dress. Rodolph paused till the sounds had died +away, and then descended the stairs. Something white +had fallen about half-way down; it had evidently been +dropped by the person who had just quitted Polidori. +Rodolph picked it up, and carried it to one of the narrow +windows which lighted the staircase. It was a pocket-handkerchief, +of the finest cambric, trimmed with costly +lace, and bearing in one corner the initials "L. N." +beautifully embroidered, and surmounted with a ducal +coronet. The handkerchief was literally soaked in tears.</p> + +<p>Rodolph's first impulse was to follow the person from +whose hand this mute evidence of deep woe had fallen, +with the view of restoring it, but, reflecting that such a +step might be mistaken for impertinent curiosity, he +determined to preserve it carefully, as the first link in +an adventure he found himself almost involuntarily +engaged in, and from which he augured a painful and +melancholy termination. As he returned to the porteress,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[Pg 300]</a></span> +he inquired whether a female had not just come +down-stairs.</p> + +<p>"A female! No indeed, sir,—it was a fine, tall, +slender-looking lady, not a female, and covered over with +a thick black veil. She has come from M. Bradamanti. +Little Tortillard fetched a coach for her, and she has +just driven away in it. What struck me was the impudence +of that little beggar to seat himself behind the +coach. I dare say, though, it was to see where the lady +went to, for he is as mischievous as a magpie, and as +prying as a ferret, for all his club-foot."</p> + +<p>"So, then," thought Rodolph, "the name and address +of this unhappy lady will soon be known to this imposter, +since it is, doubtless, by his directions she is +followed and watched by this imp of an emissary."</p> + +<p>"Well, sir, and what do you think of the apartment? +Will it suit you?" inquired Madame Pipelet.</p> + +<p>"Nothing could have suited me better. I have taken +it, and to-morrow I shall send in my furniture."</p> + +<p>"Well, then, thank God for a good lodger! I am +sure it was a lucky chance for us sent you here."</p> + +<p>"I hope you will find it so, madame. I think it is well +understood between us that you undertake to manage all +my little domestic matters for me. I shall come and +superintend the removal of my goods. Adieu!"</p> + +<p>So saying, Rodolph left the lodge. The results of his +visit to the house in the Rue du Temple were highly +important, both as regarded the solution of the deep +mystery he so ardently desired to unravel, and also as +affording a wide field for the exercise of his earnest +endeavours to do good and to prevent evil. After mature +calculation, he considered himself to have achieved the +following results:</p> + +<p>First, he had ascertained that Mlle. Rigolette was +in possession of the address of Germain, the Schoolmaster's +son. Secondly, a young female, who, from +appearances, might unhappily be the Marquise d'Harville,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[Pg 301]</a></span> +had made an appointment with the commandant +for the morrow,—perhaps to her own utter ruin and +disgrace; and Rodolph had (as we have before mentioned) +numerous reasons for wishing to preserve the +honour and peace of one for whom he felt so lively an +interest as he took in all concerning M. d'Harville. An +honest and industrious artisan, crushed by the deepest +misery, was, with his whole family, about to be turned +into the streets through the means of Bras Rouge. +Further, Rodolph had undesignedly caught a glimpse of +an adventure in which the charlatan César Bradamanti +(possibly Polidori) and a female, evidently of rank and +fashion, were the principal actors. And, finally, La +Chouette, having lately quitted the hospital, where she +had been since the affair in the Allée des Veuves, had +reappeared on the stage, and was evidently engaged in +some underhand proceedings with the fortune-teller and +female money-lender who occupied the second floor of +the house.</p> + +<p>Having carefully noted down all these particulars, +Rodolph returned to his house, Rue Plumet, deferring +till the following day his visit to the notary, Jacques +Ferrand.</p> + +<p>It will be no doubt fresh in the memory of our +readers, that on this same evening Rodolph was engaged +to be present at a grand ball given by the ambassador +of ——. Before following our hero in this new excursion, +let us cast a retrospective glance on Tom and Sarah,—personages +of the greatest importance in the development +of this history.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[Pg 302]</a></span></p> +<h3>CHAPTER XXV.</h3> + +<h5>TOM AND SARAH.</h5> + + +<p>Sarah Seyton, widow of Count Macgregor, and at +this time thirty-six or thirty-seven years of age, was of +an excellent Scotch family, daughter of a baronet, and +a country gentleman. Beautiful and accomplished, an +orphan at seventeen years old, she had left Scotland +with her brother, Thomas Seyton of Halsbury. The +absurd predictions of an old Highland nurse had excited +almost to madness the two leading vices in Sarah's character,—pride +and ambition; the destiny predicted for +her, and in which she fully believed, was of the highest +order,—in fact, sovereign rank. The prophecy had +been so often repeated, that the young Scotch girl eventually +fully credited its fulfilment; and she constantly +repeated to herself, to bear out her ambitious dream, +that a fortune-teller had thus promised a crown to the +handsome and excellent creature who afterwards sat on +the throne of France, and who was queen as much by +her graces and her kind heart as others have been by +their grandeur and majesty.</p> + +<p>Strange to say, Thomas Seyton, as superstitious as +his sister, encouraged her foolish hopes, and resolved on +devoting his life to the realisation of Sarah's dream,—a +dream as dazzling as it was deceptive. However, the +brother and sister were not so blind as to believe implicitly +in this Highland prophecy, and to look absolutely +for a throne of the first rank in a splendid disdain of +secondary royalties or reigning principalities; on the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[Pg 303]</a></span> +contrary, so that the handsome Scotch lassie should one +day encircle her imperial forehead with a sovereign +crown, the haughty pair agreed to condescend to shut +their eyes to the importance of the throne they coveted. +By the assistance of the <i>Almanach de Gotha</i> for the +year of grace 1819, Seyton arranged, before he left Scotland, +a sort of synopsis of the ages of all the kings and +ruling powers in Europe then unmarried.</p> + +<p>Although very ridiculous, yet the brother and sister's +ambition was freed from all shameful modes; Seyton +was prepared to aid his sister Sarah in snatching at the +thread of the conjugal band by which she hoped eventually +to fasten a crown upon her brows. He would be +her participator in any and all stratagems which could +tend to consummate this end; but he would rather have +killed his sister than see her the mistress of a prince, +even though the <i>liaison</i> should terminate in a marriage +of reparation.</p> + +<p>The matrimonial inventory that resulted from Seyton +and Sarah's researches in the <i>Almanach de Gotha</i> was +satisfactory. The Germanic Confederation furnished +forth a numerous contingent of young presumptive sovereigns. +Seyton was not ignorant of the sort of German +wedlock which is called a "left-handed marriage," to +which, as being legitimate to a certain extent, he would, +as a last resource, have resigned his sister. To Germany, +then, it was resolved to bend their steps, in order +to commence this search for the royal spouse.</p> + +<p>If the project appears improbable, such hopes ridiculous, +let us first reply by saying that unbridled ambition, +excited by superstitious belief, rarely claims for itself the +light of reason in its enterprises, and will dare the wildest +impossibilities; yet, when we recall certain events, +even in our own times, from high and most reputable +morganatic marriages between sovereigns and female +subjects, down to the loving elopement of Miss Penelope +Smith and the Prince of Capua, we cannot refuse some<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[Pg 304]</a></span> +chance of fortunate result to the imagination of Seyton +and Sarah. Let us add that the lady united to a very +lovely person, singular abilities and very varied talents; +whilst there were added a power of seduction the more +dangerous as it was united to a mind unbending and +calculating, a disposition cunning and selfish, a deep +hypocrisy, a stubborn and despotic will,—all covered by +the outward show of a generous, warm, and impassioned +nature.</p> + +<p>In her appearance, there was as much deceit as in her +mind. Her full and dark eyes, now sparkling, now languishing, +beneath her coal black brow, could well dissimulate +all the warmth of love and desire. Yet the +burning impulses of love never throbbed beneath her icy +bosom; no surprise of the heart or of the senses ever +intervened to disturb the cold and pitiless calculations +of this woman,—crafty, selfish, and ambitious. When +she reached the Continent, she resolved, in accordance +with her brother's advice, not to commence her conjugal +and regal campaign until she had resided some time in +Paris, where she determined to complete her education, +and rub off the rust of her native country, by associating +with a society which was embellished by all that was +elegant, tasteful, and refined. Sarah was introduced +into the best society and the highest circles, thanks to +the letters of recommendation and considerate patronage +of the English "ambassador's" lady and the old Marquis +d'Harville, who had known Tom and Sarah's father in +England.</p> + +<p>Persons of deceitful, calculating, and cold dispositions +acquire with great facility language and manners quite +in opposition to their natural character, as with them all +is outside, surface, appearance, varnish, bark; or they +soon find that, if their real characters are detected, +they are undone; so, thanks to the sort of instinct of +self-preservation with which they are gifted, they feel all +the necessity of the moral mask, and so paint and costume<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[Pg 305]</a></span> +themselves with all the alacrity and skill of a practised +comedian. Thus, after six months' residence in Paris, +Sarah was in a condition to contest with the most +Parisian of Parisian women, as to the piquant finish of +her wit, the charm of her liveliness, the ingenuousness +of her flirtation, and the exciting simplicity of her looks, +at once chaste and passionate.</p> + +<p>Finding his sister in full panoply for his campaign, +Seyton left with her for Germany, furnished with the +best letters of introduction. The first state of the German +Confederation which headed Sarah's "road-book" +was the Grand Duchy of Gerolstein, thus styled in the +diplomatic and infallible <i>Almanach de Gotha</i> for the year +of grace 1819:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="center">"<i>Genealogy of the Sovereigns of Europe and their Families</i>.</p> + +<p class="center">"GEROLSTEIN.</p> + +<p>"Grand Duke: <span class="smcap">Maximilian Rodolph</span>, 10th December, 1764. +Succeeded his father, <span class="smcap">Charles Frederic Rodolph</span>, 21st +April, 1785. Widower January, 1808, by decease of his wife, +<span class="smcap">Louisa Amelia</span>, daughter of <span class="smcap">John Augustus</span>, Prince of +<span class="smcap">Burglen</span>.</p> + +<p>"<i>Son</i>: <span class="smcap">Gustavus Rodolph</span>, born 17th April, 1803.</p> + +<p>"<i>Mother</i>: Dowager Grand Duchess Judith, widow of the Grand +Duke, <span class="smcap">Charles Frederic Rodolph</span>, 21st April, 1785."</p> +</div> + +<p>Seyton, with much practical good sense, had first +noted down on his list the youngest princes whom he +coveted as brothers-in-law, thinking that extreme youth +is more easily seduced than ripened age. Moreover, we +have already said that the brother and sister were particularly +recommended to the reigning Duke of Gerolstein +by the old Marquis d'Harville, caught, like the rest +of the world, by Sarah, whose beauty, grace, and, above +all, delightful manners, he could not sufficiently admire.</p> + +<p>It is superfluous to say that the presumptive heir of +the Grand Duchy of Gerolstein was Gustavus Rodolph: +he was hardly eighteen when Tom and Sarah were presented<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">[Pg 306]</a></span> +to his father. The arrival of the young Scotch +lady was an event in the German court, so quiet, simple, +and almost patriarchal in its habits and observances. +The Grand Duke, a most worthy gentleman, governed +his states with wise firmness and paternal kindness. +Nothing could exceed the actual and moral happiness of +the principality, whose laborious and steady population, +by their soberness and piety, presented a pure specimen +of the German character. This excellent people enjoyed +so much real felicity, and were so perfectly contented +with their condition, that the enlightened care of the +Grand Duke was not much called into action to preserve +them from the mania of constitutional innovations. As +far as modern discovery went, and those practical +suggestions which have a wholesome influence over the +well-being and morals of his people, the Grand Duke +was always anxious to acquire knowledge himself, and +apply it invariably for the use and benefit of his people, +his residents at the capitals of the different states of +Europe having little else to occupy themselves whilst on +their mission but to keep their master fully informed as +to the rise and progress of science and all the arts which +are connected with public welfare and public utility.</p> + +<p>We have said that the Duke felt as much affection as +gratitude for the old Marquis d'Harville, who, in 1815, +had rendered him immense service; and so, thanks to +his powerful recommendation, Sarah of Halsbury and her +brother were received at the court of Gerolstein with +every distinction, and with marked kindness. A fortnight +after her arrival, the young Scotch girl, endued +with so profound a spirit of observation, had easily penetrated +the firm character and open heart of the Grand +Duke. Before she began to seduce his son,—a thing +of course,—she had wisely resolved to discover the +disposition of the father. Although he had appeared to +dote on his son, she was yet fully convinced that this +father, with all his tenderness, would never swerve from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">[Pg 307]</a></span> +certain principles, certain ideas as to the duty of princes, +and would never consent to what he would consider a +<i>mésalliance</i> for his son, and that not through pride, but +from conscience, reason, and dignity. A man of this firm +mould, and the more affectionate and good in proportion +as he is firm and determined, never abates one jot of that +which affects his conscience, his reason, and his dignity.</p> + +<p>Sarah was on the point of renouncing her enterprise +in the face of obstacles so insurmountable; but, reflecting +that, as Rodolph was very young, and his gentleness +and goodness, his character at once timid and meditative, +were generally spoken of, she thought she might +find compensation in the feeble and irresolute disposition +of the young prince, and therefore persisted in her +project, and again revived her hopes.</p> + +<p>On this new essay, the management of herself and +brother were most masterly. The young lady knew full +well how to propitiate all around her, and particularly +the persons who might have been jealous or envious of +her accomplishments, and she caused her beauty and +grace to be forgotten beneath the veil of modest simplicity +with which she covered them. She soon became +the idol, not only of the Grand Duke, but of his mother, +the Dowager Grand Duchess Judith, who, in spite of, or +through, her ninety years of age, loved to excess every +thing that was young and charming.</p> + +<p>Sarah and her brother often talked of their departure, +but the sovereign of Gerolstein would never consent to +it; and that he might completely attach the two to him, +he pressed on Sir Thomas Seyton the acceptance of the +vacant post of his "first groom of the chamber," and +entreated Sarah not to quit the Grand Duchess Judith, +as she could not do without her. After much hesitation, +overcome by the most pressing entreaties, Sarah +and Seyton accepted such brilliant offers, and decided +on establishing themselves at the court of Gerolstein, +where they had been for two months.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">[Pg 308]</a></span></p> + +<p>Sarah, who was an accomplished musician, knowing +the taste of the Grand Duchess for the old masters, and, +above all, for Gluck, sent for the <i>chef-d'œuvre</i> of this +attractive composer, and fascinated the old princess by +her unfailing complaisance, as well as the remarkable +skill with which she sang those old airs, so beautiful in +their melody, so expressive in their character.</p> + +<p>As for Seyton, he knew how to make himself very +useful in the occupation which had been conferred upon +him. He was a good judge of horses, was orderly and +firm in his conduct and arrangements, and so, in a +short time, completely remodelled the stables of the +Grand Duke, which, up to that time, had been neglected, +and become disorganised.</p> + +<p>The brother and sister were soon equally beloved, +fêted, and admired in this court. The master's preference +soon commands the preference of those below him. +Sarah required, in aid of her future projects, too much +aid not to employ her insinuating powers in acquiring +partisans. Her hypocrisy, clothed in most attractive +shapes, easily deluded the simple-hearted Germans, and +the general feeling soon authorised the extreme kindness +of the Grand Duke.</p> + +<p>Thus, then, our designing pair were established at the +court of Gerolstein, agreeably and securely placed without +any reference to Rodolph. By a lucky chance, some +days after the arrival of Sarah, the young prince had +gone away to the inspection of troops, with an aide-de-camp +and the faithful Murphy. This absence, doubly +auspicious to the views of Sarah, allowed her to arrange +at her ease the principal threads of the fillet she was +weaving, without being deterred by the presence of the +young prince, whose too open admiration might, perhaps, +have awakened the suspicions of the Grand Duke. +On the contrary, in the absence of his son, he did not, +unfortunately, reflect that he was admitting into the +closest intimacy a young girl of surpassing beauty, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">[Pg 309]</a></span> +of lively wit, as Rodolph must discover at every moment +of the day.</p> + +<p>Sarah was perfectly insensible to a reception so kind +and generous,—to the full confidence with which she +was introduced into the very heart of this sovereign +family. Neither brother nor sister paused for a moment +in their bad designs; they determined upon a principle +to bring trouble and annoyance into this peaceable and +happy court; they calmly calculated the probable results +of the cruel divisions they should establish between a +father and son, up to that period so tenderly united.</p> + +<hr style="width: 15%;" /> + +<p>A few words concerning Rodolph's early days may be +necessary. During his infancy, he had been extremely +delicate. His father reasoned thereon in this strange +manner: "English country gentlemen are generally remarkable +for their robust health. This advantage +results generally from their bodily training, which is +simple, rural, and develops their full vigour. Rodolph +must leave the hands of women; his temperament is +delicate, and, perhaps, by accustoming this child to live +like the son of an English farmer (with some few +exceptions), I shall strengthen his constitution."</p> + +<p>The Grand Duke sent to England for a man worthy +of the trust, and capable of directing such a course of +bodily culture, and Sir Walter Murphy, an athletic specimen, +of a Yorkshire country gentleman, was entrusted +with this important charge. The direction which he +gave to the mind and body of the young prince were +such as entirely coincided with the views and wishes of +the Grand Duke. Murphy and his pupil lived for many +years in a beautiful farmhouse, situated in the midst of +woods and fields, some leagues from the capital of Gerolstein, +and in a most picturesque and salubrious spot. +Rodolph, free from all etiquette, and employed with +Murphy in outdoor labour proportionate to his age, +lived the sober, manly, and regular life of the country,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">[Pg 310]</a></span> +having for his pleasure and amusement the violent exercises +of wrestling, pugilism, riding on horseback, and +hunting. In the midst of the pure air of the meadows, +woods, and mountains, he underwent an entire change, +and grew up as vigorous as a young oak; his pale +cheek became suffused with the ruddy glow of health; +always lithe and active, he underwent now the most +severe fatigues, his address, energy, and courage supplying +what was deficient in his muscular power; so that, +when only in his fifteenth or sixteenth year, he was +always the conqueror in his contests with young men +his superiors in age.</p> + +<p>His scientific education necessarily suffered from the +preference given to his physical training, and Rodolph's +knowledge was very limited; but the Grand Duke very +wisely reflected that, to have a well-informed mind, it +must be supported by a strong physical frame, and that, +this acquired, the intellectual faculties would develop +themselves the more rapidly.</p> + +<p>The kind Walter Murphy was by no means a sage, +and could only convey to Rodolph some primary instruction; +but no one knew better than he how to inspire his +pupil with the feeling of what is just, loyal, and generous, +and a horror of every thing that was mean, low, and +contemptible. These repugnances, these powerful and +wholesome admonitions, took deep and lasting root in +the very soul of Rodolph; and although, in after life, +these principles were violently shaken by the storm of +passions, yet they were never eradicated from his heart. +The levin bolt strikes, splits, and rends the deeply +planted tree; but the sap still maintains its hold in the +roots, and a thousand green branches spring fresh from +what was taken for a withered and dead tree.</p> + +<p>Murphy, then, gave to Rodolph, if we may use the expression, +health to both body and mind; he made him +robust, active, and daring, with a love for all that was +good and right, and a hatred for whatsoever was wicked<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">[Pg 311]</a></span> +and bad. Having fulfilled his task to admiration, the +squire, called to England on very important business, +left Germany for some time, to the great regret of +Rodolph, who loved him extremely.</p> + +<p>His son's health having been so satisfactorily established, +the Grand Duke turned his most serious attention +to the mental education of his dearly beloved son. A +certain Doctor César Polidori, a renowned linguist, a +distinguished chemist, learned historian, and deeply +versed in the study of all the exact and physical sciences, +was entrusted with the charge of cultivating and +improving the rich but virgin soil so carefully and well +prepared by Murphy. This time the Grand Duke's +choice was a most unfortunate one, or, rather, his religious +feelings were infamously imposed upon by the +person who introduced the doctor to him, and caused +him to think on Polidori as the preceptor of the young +prince. Atheist, cheat, and hypocrite, full of stratagem +and trick, concealing the most dangerous immorality, +the most hardened scepticism, under an austere exterior, +profoundly versed in the knowledge of human nature, +or, rather, only having tried the worst side,—the +disgraceful passions of humanity,—Doctor Polidori was +the most hateful Mentor that could have been entrusted +with the education of a young man.</p> + +<p>Rodolph left with the deepest regrets the independent +and animating life which he had hitherto led with +Murphy to go and become pale with the study of books, +and submit himself to the irksome ceremonies of his +father's court, and he at once entertained a strong +prejudice against his tutor. It could not be otherwise.</p> + +<p>On quitting his young friend, the poor squire had +compared him, and with justice, to a young wild colt, +full of grace and fire, carried off from his native prairies, +where he had dwelt, free as air, and joyous as a bird, to +be bridled and spurred, that he might under that system +learn how to moderate and economise those powers<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">[Pg 312]</a></span> +which, hitherto, he had only employed in running and +leaping in any way he pleased.</p> + +<p>Rodolph began by telling Polidori that he had no taste +for study, but that he greatly preferred the free exercise +of his arms and legs, to breathe the pure air of the fields, +to traverse the woods and the mountains, and that a +good horse and a good gun were preferable to all the +books in the universe. The doctor was prepared for +this antipathy, and was secretly delighted at it, for, in +another way, the hopes of this man were as ambitious as +those of Sarah. Although the grand duchy of Gerolstein +was only a secondary state, Polidori indulged the idea of +being one day its Richelieu, and of making Rodolph play +the part of the do-nothing prince. But, desirous above +all things of currying favour with his pupil, and of making +him forget Murphy, by his own concession and compliance, +he concealed from the Grand Duke the young +prince's repugnance for study, and boasted of his application +to, and rapid progress in, his studies; whilst some +examinations arranged between himself and Rodolph, +which had the air of being impromptu questions, +confirmed the Grand Duke in his blind and implicit +confidence. By degrees the dislike which Rodolph at +first entertained for the doctor changed, on the young +prince's part, into a cool familiarity, very unlike the +real attachment he had for Murphy. By degrees, he +found himself leagued with Polidori (although from +very innocent causes) by the same ties that unite two +guilty persons. Sooner or later, Rodolph was sure to +despise a man of the age and character of the doctor, +who so unworthily lied to excuse the idleness of his +pupil. This Polidori knew; but he also knew that if we +do not at once sever our connections with corrupt minds +in disgust, by degrees, and in spite of our better reason, +we become familiar with and too frequently admire +them, until, insensibly, we hear without shame or reproach +those things mocked at and vituperated which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">[Pg 313]</a></span> +we formerly loved and revered. Besides, the doctor +was too cunning all at once to shock certain noble sentiments +and convictions which Rodolph had derived from +the admirable lessons of Murphy. After having vented +much raillery on the coarseness of the early occupations +of his young pupil, the doctor, laying aside his thin +mask of austerity, had greatly aroused the curiosity and +heated the fancy of the young prince, by the exaggerated +descriptions, strongly drawn and deeply coloured, of the +pleasures and gallantries which had illustrated the reigns +of Louis XIV., the Regent, and especially Louis XV., +the hero of César Polidori. He assured the misled boy, +who listened to him with a fatal earnestness, that +pleasures, however excessive, far from demoralising a +highly accomplished prince, often made him merciful +and generous, inasmuch as fine minds are never more +predisposed to benevolence and clemency than when +acted upon by their own enjoyments. Louis XV., the +<i>bien aimé</i>, the well-beloved, was an unanswerable proof of +this. And then, added the doctor, how entirely have +the greatest men of all ages and all countries abandoned +themselves to the most refined epicureanism,—from +Alcibiades to Maurice of Saxony, from Anthony to the +great Condé, from Cæsar to Vendome! Such conversations +must make deep and dangerous impressions on a +young, ardent, and virgin mind, and such theories could +not be without their results.</p> + +<p>In the midst of this well regulated and virtuous court, +accustomed, after the example of its ruler, to honest +pleasures and harmless amusements, Rodolph, instructed +by Polidori, dreamt of the dissipated nights of Versailles, +the orgies of Choisy, the attractive voluptuousness +of the Parc-au-Cerfs, and also, from time to time, of +some romantic amours contrasting with these. Neither +had the doctor failed to prove to Rodolph that a prince +of the Germanic Confederation should not have any +military pretension beyond sending his contingent to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314">[Pg 314]</a></span> +Diet. The feeling of the time was not warlike. According +to the doctor, to pass his time delightfully and idly +amongst women and the refinements of luxury,—to repose +from time to time from the animation of sensual pleasures, +amidst the delightful attractions of the fine arts,—to +hunt occasionally, not as a Nimrod, but as an intelligent +epicurean, and enjoy the transitory fatigues which make +idleness and repose taste but the sweeter,—this, this +was the only life which a prince should think of enjoying, +who (and this was his height of happiness) could find a +prime minister capable of devoting himself boldly to the +distressing and overwhelming burden of state affairs.</p> + +<p>Rodolph, in abandoning himself to ideas which were +free from criminality, because they did not spring from +the circle of fatal probabilities, resolved that when Providence +should call to himself the Grand Duke, his father, +he would devote himself to the life which César Polidori +had painted to him under such brilliant and attractive +colours, and to have as his prime minister one whose +knowledge and understanding he admired, and whose +blind complaisance he fully appreciated. It is useless to +say that the young prince kept the most perfect silence +upon the subject of those pernicious hopes which had +been excited within him. Knowing that the heroes of +the Grand Duke's admiration were Gustavus Adolphus, +Charles XII., and the great Frederic (Maximilian +Rodolph had the honour of belonging to the royal house +of Brandenburg), Rodolph thought, reasonably enough, +that the prince, his father, who professed so profound +an admiration for these king-captains, always booted +and spurred, continually mounted on their chargers, and +engaged in making war, would consider his son out of +his senses if he believed him capable of wishing to displace +the Tudescan gravity of his court by the introduction +of the light and licentious manners of the Regency.</p> + +<p>A year—eighteen months—passed away. At the +end of this time Murphy returned from England, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315">[Pg 315]</a></span> +wept for joy on again embracing his young pupil. After +a few days, although unable to discover the reason +of a change which so deeply afflicted him, the worthy +squire found Rodolph chilled and constrained in his +demeanour towards him, and almost rude when he recalled +to him his sequestered and rural life. Assured +of the natural kind heart of the young prince, and warned +by a secret presentiment, Murphy thought him for a time +perverted by the pernicious influence of Doctor Polidori, +whom he instinctively abhorred, and resolved to watch +very narrowly. The doctor, for his part, was very much +annoyed by Murphy's return, for he feared his frankness, +good sense, and keen penetration. He instantly resolved, +therefore, cost what it might, to ruin the worthy Englishman +in Rodolph's estimation. It was at this crisis +that Seyton and Sarah were presented and received at +the court of Gerolstein with such extreme distinction. +We have said that Rodolph, accompanied by Murphy, +had been absent from the court on a journey for some +weeks. During this absence the doctor was by no means +idle. It is said that intriguers discover and recognise +each other by certain mysterious signs, which allow of +them observing each other until their interests decide +them to form a close alliance, or declare unremitting +hostility.</p> + +<p>Some days after the establishment of Sarah and her +brother at the court of the Grand Duke, Polidori became +a close ally of Seyton's. The doctor confessed to +himself, with delectable cynicism, that he felt a natural +affinity for rogues and villains, and so he said that without +pretending to discover the end which Sarah and her +brother desired to achieve, he was attracted towards +them by a sympathy so strong as to lead him to imagine +that they plotted some devilish purpose. Some questions +of Seyton's as to the disposition and early life of Rodolph, +questions which would have passed without notice with +a person less awake to all that occurred than the doctor,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_316" id="Page_316">[Pg 316]</a></span> +in a moment enlightened him as to the ulterior aims of +the brother and sister; all he doubted was, that the aspirations +of the Scotch lady were at the same time honourable +as well as ambitious. The arrival of this lovely +young woman appeared to Polidori a godsend. Rodolph's +mind was already inflamed with amorous imaginings; +Sarah might become, or be made, the delicious reality +which should substantiate so many glorious dreams. +It was not to be doubted but that she would secure an +immense influence over a heart submitted to the witching +spell of a first love. The doctor instantly laid his +plan to direct and secure this influence, and to make it +serve also as the means of destroying Murphy's power +and reputation. Like a skilful intriguer, he soon informed +the aspiring pair that they must come to an +understanding with him, as he alone was responsible to +the Grand Duke for the private life of the young prince.</p> + +<p>Sarah and her brother understood him in a moment, +although they had not told the doctor a syllable of their +secret designs. On the return of Rodolph and Murphy, +all three, combined by one common intent, tacitly +leagued against the squire, their most redoubtable enemy.</p> + +<hr style="width: 15%;" /> + +<p>What was to happen did happen. Rodolph saw Sarah +daily after his return, and became desperately enamoured. +She soon told him that she shared his love, although she +foresaw that this love would create great trouble. He +could never be happy; the distance that separated them +was too wide! She then recommended to Rodolph the +most profound discretion, for fear of arousing the Grand +Duke's suspicions, as he would be inexorable, and deprive +them of their only happiness,—that of seeing each other +every day. The young prince promised to be cautious, +and conceal his love. The Scotch maiden was too ambitious, +too self-possessed, to compromise and betray herself +in the eyes of the court; and Rodolph, perceiving the +necessity of dissimulation, imitated Sarah's prudence.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_317" id="Page_317">[Pg 317]</a></span> +The lovers' secret was carefully preserved for some time; +nor was it until the brother and sister saw the unbridled +passion of their dupe reach its utmost excess, and that +his infatuation, which he could hardly restrain, threatened +to burst forth afresh, and destroy all, that they resolved +on their final <i>coup</i>. The doctor's character authorising +the confidence, besides the morality which invested it, +Seyton opened to him on the necessity of a marriage +between Rodolph and Sarah; otherwise, he added, with +perfect sincerity, he and his sister would instantly leave +Gerolstein. Sarah participated in the prince's affection, +but, preferring death to dishonour, she could only be the +wife of his highness.</p> + +<p>This exalted flight of ambition stupefied the doctor, who +had never imagined that Sarah's imagination soared so +high. A marriage surrounded by numberless difficulties +and dangers appeared impossible to Polidori, and he +frankly told Seyton the reasons why the Grand Duke +would never submit to such a union. Seyton agreed in +the importance of the reasons, but proposed, as a <i>mezzo +termini</i> which should meet all objections, a marriage, +which, although secret, should be legal, and only avowed +after the decease of the Grand Duke. Sarah was of a +noble and ancient house, and such a union was not +without precedent. Seyton gave the prince eight days +to decide; his sister could not longer endure the cruel +anguish of uncertainty, and, if she must renounce +Rodolph's love, she must act up to her painful resolve +as promptly as might be.</p> + +<p>Certain that he could not mistake Sarah's views, the +doctor was sorely perplexed. He had three ways before +him,—to inform the Grand Duke of the matrimonial +project, to open Rodolph's eyes as to the manœuvres of +Tom and Sarah, to lend himself to the marriage. But +to inform the Grand Duke would be to alienate from him +for ever the heir presumptive to the throne. To enlighten +Rodolph on the interested views of Sarah was to expose<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318">[Pg 318]</a></span> +himself to the reception which a lover is sure to give +when she whom he loves is depreciated in his eyes; and +then, what a blow for the vanity or the heart of the young +prince, to let him know that it was for his royal rank +alone that the lady was desirous to wed him! On the +other hand, by lending himself to this match, Polidori +bound Rodolph and Sarah to him by a tie of the strongest +gratitude, or, at least, by the complicity of a dangerous +act. No doubt, all might be discovered, and the +doctor exposed to the anger of the Grand Duke, but then +the marriage would have been concluded, the union legal. +The storm would blow over, and the future sovereign of +Gerolstein would become the more bound to Polidori, in +proportion as the doctor had undergone greater dangers +in his service. After much consideration, therefore, he +resolved on serving Sarah, but with a certain qualification, +which we will presently refer to.</p> + +<p>Rodolph's passion had reached a height almost of +frenzy. Violently excited by constraint, and the skilful +management of Sarah, who pretended to feel still +more than he did the insurmountable obstacles which +honour and duty placed between them and their liberty, +in a few days more the young prince would have betrayed +himself. Thus, when the doctor proposed that he must +never see his enchantress again, or possess her by a +secret marriage, Rodolph threw himself on Polidori's +neck, called him his saviour, his friend, his father; he +only wished that the temple and the priest were at +hand, that he might marry her that instant. The doctor +resolved (for reasons of his own) to undertake the management +of all. He found a priest,—witnesses; and +the union (all the formalities of which were carefully +scrutinised and verified by Seyton) was secretly celebrated +during a temporary absence of the Grand Duke at +a conference of the German Diet. The prophecy of the +Scotch soothsayer was fulfilled,—Sarah wedded the heir +to a throne.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319">[Pg 319]</a></span></p> + +<p>Without quenching the fire of his love, possession +rendered Rodolph more circumspect, and cooled down +that violence which might have compromised the secret +of his passion for Sarah; but, directed by Seyton and the +doctor, the young couple managed so well, and observed +so much circumspection towards each other, that they +eluded all detection.</p> + +<p>An event, impatiently desired by Sarah, soon turned +this calm into a tempest,—she was about to become a +mother. It was then that this woman evinced all those +exactions which were so new to, and so much astonished, +Rodolph. She protested, with hypocritical tears streaming +from her eyes, that she could no longer support the +constraint in which she lived; a constraint rendered +the more insupportable by her pregnancy. In this extremity +she boldly proposed to the young prince to tell +all to his father, who was, as well as the Dowager Grand +Duchess, fonder than ever of her. No doubt, she added, +he will be very angry, greatly enraged, at first, but he +loves his son so tenderly, so blindly, and had for her +(Sarah) so strong an affection, that his paternal anger +would gradually subside, and she would at last take in +the court of Gerolstein the rank which was due to her, +she might say in a double sense, because she was about +to give birth to a child, which would be the heir presumptive +to the Grand Duke. These pretensions alarmed +Rodolph: he knew the deep attachment which his father +had for him, but he also well knew the inflexibility of his +principles with regard to all the duties of a prince. To +all these objections Sarah replied, unmoved:</p> + +<p>"I am your wife in the presence of God and men. +In a short time, I shall no longer be able to conceal my +situation; and I ought not to blush at that of which I +am, on the contrary, so proud, and would desire openly +to acknowledge."</p> + +<p>The expectation of posterity had redoubled Rodolph's +tenderness for Sarah, and, placed between the desire to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_320" id="Page_320">[Pg 320]</a></span> +accede to her wishes and the dread of his father's wrath, +he experienced the bitterest anguish. Seyton sided with +his sister.</p> + +<p>"The marriage is indissoluble," said he to his royal +brother-in-law; "the Grand Duke may exile you from +his court,—you and your wife,—nothing more; but he +loves you too much to have recourse to such an extremity. +He will endure what he cannot prevent."</p> + +<p>These reasons, strong enough in themselves, did not +soothe Rodolph's anxieties. At this juncture, Seyton +was charged by the Grand Duke with an errand to visit +several breeding studs in Austria. This mission, which +he could not refuse, would only detain him a fortnight: +he set out with much regret, and in a very important +moment for his sister. She was chagrined, yet satisfied, +at the departure of her brother; for she would lose his +advice, but then he would be safe from the Grand Duke's +anger if all were discovered. Sarah promised to keep +Seyton fully informed, day by day, of the progress of +events, so important to both of them; and, that they +might correspond more surely and secretly, they agreed +upon a cipher, of which Polidori also held the key. +This precaution alone proves that Sarah had other +matters to tell her brother of besides her love for +Rodolph. In truth, this selfish, cold, ambitious woman +had not felt the ice of her heart melt even by the beams +of the passionate love which had been breathed to her. +Her maternity was only with her a means of acting more +effectually on Rodolph, and had no softening effect on her +iron soul. The youth, headlong love, and inexperience of +the prince, who was hardly more than a child, and so perfidiously +ensnared into an inextricable position, hardly +excited an interest in the mind of this selfish creature; +and, in her confidential communications with him, she +complained, with disdain and bitterness, of the weakness +of this young man, who trembled before the most paternal +of German princes, who lived, however, very long!<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_321" id="Page_321">[Pg 321]</a></span> +In a word, this correspondence between the brother and +sister clearly developed their unbounded selfishness, their +ambitious calculations, their impatience, which almost +amounted to homicide, and laid bare the springs of that +dark conspiracy crowned by the marriage of Rodolph. +One of Sarah's letters to her brother was abstracted +by Polidori, the channel of their mutual communications; +for what purpose we shall see hereafter.</p> + +<p>A few days after Seyton's departure, Sarah was at the +evening court of the Dowager Grand Duchess. Many of +the ladies present looked at her with an astonished air, +and whispered to their neighbours. The Grand Duchess +Judith, in spite of her ninety years, had a quick ear and +a sharp eye, and this little whispering did not escape her. +She made a sign to one of the ladies in waiting to come +to her, and from her she learned that everybody was +remarking that the figure of Miss Sarah Seyton of Halsbury +was less slender, less delicate in its proportions +than usual. The old princess adored her young protégée +and would have answered to God himself for Sarah's +virtue. Indignant at the malevolence of these remarks, +she shrugged her shoulders, and said aloud, from the end +of the saloon in which she was sitting:</p> + +<p>"My dear Sarah, come here."</p> + +<p>Sarah rose. It was requisite to cross the circle to +reach the place where the princess was seated, who was +anxious most kindly to destroy the rumour that +was circulated, and, by the simple fact of thus crossing +the room, confound her calumniators, and prove +triumphantly that the fair proportions of her protégée +had lost not one jot of their symmetry and delicacy. +Alas! the most perfidious enemy could not have devised +a better plan than that suggested by the worthy princess +in her desire to defend her protégée. Sarah came towards +her, and it required all the deep respect due to the Grand +Duchess to repress the murmur of surprise and indignation +when the young lady crossed the room. The nearest-sighted<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_322" id="Page_322">[Pg 322]</a></span> +persons saw what Sarah would no longer +conceal, for her pregnancy might have been hidden +longer had she but have chosen; but the ambitious woman +had sought this display in order to compel Rodolph to +declare his marriage. The Grand Duchess, who, however, +would not be convinced in spite of her eyesight, +said, in a low voice, to Sarah:</p> + +<p>"My dear child, how very ill you have dressed yourself +to-day,—you, whose shape may be spanned by ten +fingers. I hardly know you again."</p> + +<p>We will relate hereafter the results of this discovery, +which led to great and terrible events. At this moment, +we will content ourselves with stating, what the reader +has no doubt already guessed, that Fleur-de-Marie was +the fruit of the secret marriage of Rodolph and Sarah, +and that they both believed their daughter dead.</p> + +<p>It has not been forgotten that Rodolph, after having +visited the house in the Rue du Temple, had returned +home, and intended, in the evening, to be present at a +ball given by the —— ambassadress. It was to this fête +that we shall follow his royal highness, the reigning +Grand Duke of Gerolstein, Gustavus Rodolph, travelling +in France under the name of the Count de Duren.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_323" id="Page_323">[Pg 323]</a></span></p> +<h3>CHAPTER XXVI.</h3> + +<h5>THE BALL.</h5> + + +<p>As the eleventh hour of the night sounded from the +different clocks in Paris, the gates of an hôtel in the +Rue Plumet were thrown open by a Swiss in rich livery, +and forthwith issued a magnificent dark blue Berlin +carriage, drawn by two superb long-tailed gray horses; +on the seat, which was covered by a rich hammercloth, +trimmed with a mossy silk fringe, sat a portly-looking +coachman, whose head was ornamented by a three-cornered +hat, while his rotund figure looked still more +imposing in his dress livery-coat of blue cloth, trimmed +up the seams with silver lace, and thickly braided with +the same material; the whole finished by a splendid +sable collar and cuffs. Behind the carriage stood a tall +powdered lacquey, dressed in a livery of blue turned up +with yellow and silver; and by his side was a chasseur, +whose fierce-looking moustaches, gaily embroidered dress +and hat, half concealed by a waving plume of blue and +yellow feathers, completed a most imposing <i>coup-d'œil</i>.</p> + +<p>The bright light of the lamps revealed the costly satin +lining of the interior of the vehicle we are describing, in +which were seated Rodolph, having on his right hand +the Baron de Graün, and opposite to him the faithful +Murphy.</p> + +<p>Out of deference for the sovereign represented by the +ambassador to whose ball he was then proceeding, +Rodolph wore no other mark of distinction than the +diamond order of ——.</p> + +<p>Round the neck of Sir Walter Murphy, and suspended<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_324" id="Page_324">[Pg 324]</a></span> +by a broad orange riband, hung the enamelled cross of +the grand commander of the Golden Eagle of Gerolstein; +and a similar insignia decorated the Baron de Graün, +amidst an infinite number of the crosses and badges of +honour belonging to all countries, depending by a gold +chain placed in the two full buttonholes of the diplomatist's +coat.</p> + +<p>"I am delighted," said Rodolph, "with the very favourable +accounts I have received from Madame Georges +respecting my poor little protégée at the farm of Bouqueval. +David's care and attention have worked wonders. +Apropos of La Goualeuse: what do you think, Sir Walter +Murphy, any of your Cité acquaintances would say at +seeing you so strangely disguised, as at present they +would consider you, most valiant charcoal-man, to be? +They would be somewhat astonished, I fancy."</p> + +<p>"Much in the same degree as the surprise your royal +highness would excite among your new acquaintances in +the Rue du Temple, were you to proceed thither, as now +attired, to pay a friendly visit to Madame Pipelet, and +to inquire after the health of Cabrion's victim, the poor +melancholy Alfred!"</p> + +<p>"My lord has drawn so lively a sketch of Alfred, +attired in his long-skirted green coat and bell-crowned +hat," said the baron, "that I can well imagine him +seated in magisterial dignity in his dark and smoky +lodge. Let me hope that your royal highness's visit to +the Rue du Temple has fully answered your expectations, +and that you are in every way satisfied with the +researches of my agent?"</p> + +<p>"Perfectly so," answered Rodolph. "My success was +even beyond my expectations."</p> + +<p>Then, after a moment's painful silence, and to drive +away the train of thought conjured up by the recollection +of the probable guilt of Madame d'Harville, he resumed, +in a tone more gay:</p> + +<p>"I am almost ashamed to own to so much childishness,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_325" id="Page_325">[Pg 325]</a></span> +but I confess myself amused with the contrast +between my treating Madame Pipelet in the morning to +a glass of cordial, and then proceeding in the evening +to a grand fête, with all the pomp and prestige of one of +those privileged beings who, by the grace of God, 'reign +over this lower world.' Some men of small fortune +would speak of my revenues as those of a millionaire," +added Rodolph, in a sort of parenthesis, alluding to the +limited extent of his estates.</p> + +<p>"And many millionaires, my lord, might not have +the rare, the admirable good sense, of the man of +narrow means."</p> + +<p>"Ah, my dear De Graün, you are really too good, +much too good! You really overwhelm me," replied +Rodolph, with an ironical smile, while the baron glanced +at Murphy with the consciousness of a man who has +just discovered he has been saying a foolish thing.</p> + +<p>"Really, my dear De Graün," resumed Rodolph, "I +know not how to acknowledge the weight of your compliment, +or how to repay such delicate flattery in its own +way."</p> + +<p>"My lord, let me entreat of you not to take the +trouble," exclaimed the baron, who had for the instant +forgotten that Rodolph, who detested every species of +flattery, always revenged himself by the most unsparing +raillery on those who, directly or indirectly, addressed +it to him.</p> + +<p>"Nay, baron, I cannot allow myself to remain in +your debt. You have praised my understanding,—I +will, in return, admire your countenance; for by my +honour, as I sit beside you, you look like a youth of +twenty. Antinous himself could not boast of finer +features, or a more captivating expression."</p> + +<p>"My lord! my lord! I cry your mercy!"</p> + +<p>"Behold him, Murphy, and say whether Apollo could +display more graceful limbs, more light, and youthful +proportions!"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_326" id="Page_326">[Pg 326]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I beseech you, my lord, to pardon me, from the +recollection of how long it is since I have permitted myself +to utter the slightest compliment to your royal +highness."</p> + +<p>"Observe, Murphy, this band of gold which restrains, +without concealing, the locks of rich black hair flowing +over this graceful neck, and—"</p> + +<p>"My lord! my lord! for pity's sake spare me! I +repent, most sincerely, of my involuntary fault," said the +unfortunate baron, with an expression of comic despair +on his countenance truly ludicrous.</p> + +<p>It must not be forgotten that the original of this glowing +picture was at least fifty years of age; his hair gray, +frizzled and powdered; a stiff white cravat round his +throat; a pale, withered countenance; and golden spectacles +upon the horny bridge of his sharp, projecting +nose.</p> + +<p>"Pardon, my lord! pardon, for the baron," exclaimed +the squire, laughing. "I beseech you not to overwhelm +him beneath the weight of your mythological allusions. +I will be answerable to your royal highness that my +unlucky friend here will never again venture to utter a +flattery, since so truth is translated in the new vocabulary +of Gerolstein."</p> + +<p>"What! old Murphy, too? Are you going to join +in the rebellion against sincerity?"</p> + +<p>"My lord, I am so sorry for the position of my unfortunate +<i>vis-à-vis</i>, that—I beg I may divide his punishment +with him."</p> + +<p>"Charcoal-man in ordinary, your disinterested friendship +does you honour. But seriously now, my dear De +Graün, how have you forgotten that I only allow such +fellows as D'Harneim and his train to flatter, for +the simple reason that they know not how to speak the +truth? That cuckoo-note of false praise belongs to +birds of such feather as themselves, and the species they +claim relationship with; but for a person of your mind<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_327" id="Page_327">[Pg 327]</a></span> +and good taste to descend to its usage—oh, fie! +baron, fie!"</p> + +<p>"It is all very well, my lord," said the baron, sturdily; +"but I must be allowed to say (with all due apology for +my boldness) that there is no small portion of pride in +your royal highness's aversion to receive even a just +compliment."</p> + +<p>"Well said, baron! Come, I like you better now you +speak plain truths. But tell me how you prove your +assertion?"</p> + +<p>"Why, just so, my lord; because you repudiate it upon +the same principle that might induce a beautiful woman, +well aware of her charms, to say to one of her most +enthusiastic admirers, 'I know perfectly well how handsome +I am, and therefore your approval is perfectly +uncalled for and unnecessary. What is the use of reiterating +what everybody knows? Is it usual to proclaim +in the open streets that the sun shines, when all may +see and feel certain of his midday brightness?'"</p> + +<p>"Now, baron, you are shifting your ground, and becoming +more dangerous as you become more adroit; +and, by way of varying your punishment, I will only say +that the infernal Polidori himself could not have more +ingeniously disguised the poisonous draught of flattery, +when seeking to persuade some poor victim to swallow +it."</p> + +<p>"My lord, I am now effectually silenced."</p> + +<p>"Then," said Murphy (and this time with an air of +real seriousness), "your royal highness has now no +doubt as to its being really Polidori you encountered in +the Rue du Temple?"</p> + +<p>"I have ceased to have the least doubt on the subject, +since I learned through you that he had been in Paris +for some time past."</p> + +<p>"I had forgotten, or, rather, purposely omitted to +mention to your lordship," said Murphy in a sorrowing +tone, "a name that never failed to awaken painful<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_328" id="Page_328">[Pg 328]</a></span> +feelings; and knowing as I do how justly odious the +remembrance of this man was to your royal highness, I +studiously abstained from all reference to it."</p> + +<p>The features of Rodolph were again overshadowed +with gloom, and, plunged in deep reverie, he continued +to preserve unbroken the silence which prevailed until +the carriage stopped in the courtyard of the embassy. +The windows of the hôtel were blazing with a thousand +lights, which shone brightly through the thick darkness +of the night, while a crowd of lacqueys, in full-dress +liveries, lined the entrance-hall, extending even to the +salons of reception, where the grooms of the chamber +waited to announce the different arrivals.</p> + +<p>M. le Comte ——, the ambassador, with his lady, had +purposely remained in the first reception-room until the +arrival of Rodolph, who now entered, followed by Murphy +and M. de Graün.</p> + +<p>Rodolph was then in his thirty-sixth year, in the very +prime and perfection of manly health and strength. +His regular and handsome features, with the air of dignity +pervading his whole appearance, would have +rendered him, under any circumstances, a strikingly +attractive man; but, combined with the <i>éclat</i> of high birth +and exalted rank, he was a person of first-rate importance +in every circle in which he presented himself, and +whose notice was assiduously sought for. Dressed with +the utmost simplicity, Rodolph wore a white waistcoat +and cravat; a blue coat, buttoned up closely, on the +right breast of which sparkled a diamond star, displayed +to admiration the light yet perfect proportions of his +graceful figure, while his well-fitting pantaloons, of black +kerseymere, defined the finely formed leg and handsome +foot in its embroidered stocking.</p> + +<p>From the rareness of the Grand Duke's visits to the +<i>haut monde</i>, his arrival produced a great sensation, and +every eye was fixed upon him from the moment that, +attended by Murphy and Baron de Graün, he entered the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_329" id="Page_329">[Pg 329]</a></span> +first salon at the embassy. An attaché, deputed to watch +for his arrival, hastened immediately to appraise the ambassadress +of the appearance of her illustrious guest. +Her excellency instantly hurried, with her noble husband, +to welcome their visitor, exclaiming:</p> + +<p>"Your royal highness is, indeed, kind, thus to honour +our poor entertainment."</p> + +<p>"Nay, madame," replied Rodolph, gracefully bowing +on the hand extended to him, "your ladyship is well +aware of the sincere pleasure it affords to pay my compliments +to yourself; and as for M. le Comte, he and I +are two old friends, who are always delighted to meet. +Are we not, my lord?"</p> + +<p>"Your royal highness, in deigning to continue to me +so flattering a place in your recollection, makes it still +more impossible for me ever to forget your many acts of +condescending kindness."</p> + +<p>"I assure you, M. le Comte, that in my memory the +past never dies; or, at least, the pleasant part of it; +for I make it a strict rule never to preserve any reminiscences +of my friends but such as are agreeable and +gratifying."</p> + +<p>"Your royal highness has found the secret of being +happy in your thoughts, and rendering others so at the +same time," rejoined the ambassador, smiling with +gratified pride and pleasure at a conference so cordially +carried on before a gathering crowd of admiring +auditors.</p> + +<p>"Thus, then, madame," replied Rodolph, "will your +flattering reception of to-night live long in my memory; +and I shall promise myself the happiness of recalling +this evening's fête, with its tasteful arrangements and +crowd of attending beauties. Ah, Madame la Comtesse, +who like you can effect such a union of taste and +elegance as now sparkles around us?"</p> + +<p>"Your royal highness is too indulgent."</p> + +<p>"But I have a very important question to ask you:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_330" id="Page_330">[Pg 330]</a></span> +Why is it that, lovely as are your fair guests, their +charms are never seen to such perfection as when assembled +beneath your hospitable roof?"</p> + +<p>"Your royal highness is pleased to view our fair visitants +through the same flattering medium with which you +are graciously pleased to behold our poor endeavours for +your and their amusement," answered the ambassador, +with a deferential bow.</p> + +<p>"Your pardon, count," replied Rodolph, "if I differ +with you in opinion. According to my judgment, the +cause proceeds wholly from our amiable hostess, Madame +l'Ambassadrice."</p> + +<p>"May I request of your royal highness to solve this +enigma?" inquired the countess, smiling.</p> + +<p>"That is easily given, madame, and may be found in +the perfect urbanity and exquisite grace with which you +receive your lovely guests, and whisper to each a few +charming and encouraging words, which, if the least bit +exceeding strict truth," said Rodolph, smiling with good-tempered +satire, "renders those who are even praised +above their merits more radiant in beauty from your +kind commendations, while those whose charms admit +of no exaggeration are no less radiant with the happiness +of finding themselves so justly appreciated by you; +thus each countenance, thanks to the gentle arts you +practise, is made to exhibit the most smiling delight, for +perfect content will set off even homely features. And +thus I account for why it is that woman, all lovely as +she is, never looks so much so as when seen beneath +your roof. Come, M. l'Ambassadeur, own that I have +made out a good case, and that you entirely concur with +me in opinion."</p> + +<p>"Your royal highness has afforded me too many previous +reasons to admire and adopt your opinions for me +to hesitate in the present instance."</p> + +<p>"And for me, my lord," said the countess, "at the +risk of being included among those fair ladies who get a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_331" id="Page_331">[Pg 331]</a></span> +little more praise or flattery (which was it your highness +styled it?) than they deserve, I accept your very flattering +explanation with as much qualified pleasure as if it +were really founded on truth."</p> + +<p>"In order more effectually to convince you, madame, +that nothing is more correct than all I have asserted, let +us make a few observations touching the fine effect of +praise in animating and lighting up the countenance."</p> + +<p>"Ah, my lord, you are laying a very mischievous +snare for me," said the countess, smiling.</p> + +<p>"Well, then, I will abandon that idea; but upon one +condition, that you honour me by taking my arm. I +have been told wonderful things of a 'Winter Garden,'—a +work from Fairyland. May I put up my humble +petition to be allowed to see this new wonder of a 'hundred +and one nights?'"</p> + +<p>"Oh, my lord, with the utmost pleasure. But I see +that your highness had received a most exaggerated +account. Perhaps you will accompany me, and judge +for yourself. Only in this instance I would fain hope +that your habitual indulgence may induce you to feel as +little disappointment as possible at finding how imperfectly +the reality equals your expectations."</p> + +<p>The ambassadress then took the offered arm of Rodolph, +and proceeded with him to the other salons, while +the count remained conversing with the Baron de Graün +and Murphy, whom he had been acquainted with for +some time.</p> + +<p>And a more beautiful scene of enchantment never +charmed the eye than that presented by the aspect of the +winter garden, to which Rodolph had conducted his +noble hostess. Let the reader imagine an enclosure of +about forty feet in length, and thirty in width (leading +out of a long and splendid gallery), surmounted by a +glazed and vaulted roof, the building being securely +covered in for about fifty feet. Round the parallelogram +it described, the walls were concealed by an infinite<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_332" id="Page_332">[Pg 332]</a></span> +number of mirrors, over which was placed a small and +delicate trellis of fine green rushes, which, thanks to the +strong light reflected on the highly polished glass, resembled +an arbour, and were almost entirely hidden by a +thick row of orange-trees, as large as those of the Tuileries, +mixed with camellias of equal size; while the +golden fruit and verdant foliage of the one contrasted +beautifully with the rich clusters of waxen flowers, of all +colours, with which the other was loaded. The remainder +of the garden was thus devised:</p> + +<p>Five or six enormous clumps of trees, and Indian or +other tropical shrubs, planted in immense cases filled +with peat earth, were surrounded by alleys paved with a +mosaic shell-work, and sufficiently wide for two or three +persons to walk abreast. It is impossible to describe the +wondrous effect produced by this rich display of tropical +vegetation in the midst of a European winter, and almost +in the very centre of a ballroom. Here might be seen +gigantic bananas stretching their tall arms to the glass +roof which covered them, and blending the vivid green of +their palms with the lanceolated leaves of the large magnolias, +some of which already displayed their matchless +and odoriferous flowers with their bell-shaped calices, purple +without and silvery white within, from which started +forth the little gold-threaded stamens. At a little distance +were grouped the palm and date-trees of the +Levant; the red macaw, and fig-trees from India; all +blooming in full health and vigour, and displaying their +foliage in all its luxuriance, gave to the <i>tout ensemble</i> a +mass of rich, brilliant tropical verdure, which, glittering +among the thousand lights, sparkled with the colours of +the emerald.</p> + +<p>Along the trellising, between the orange-trees, and +amid the clumps, were trained every variety of rare +climbing plants; sometimes hanging their long wreaths +of leaves and flowers in graceful festoons, then depending +like blooming serpents from the tall boughs; now trailing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_333" id="Page_333">[Pg 333]</a></span> +at their roots, then ambitiously scaling the very +walls, till they hung their united tresses round the +transparent and vaulted roof, from which again they +floated in mingled masses, waving in the pure, light +breeze loaded with so many odours. The winged pomegranate, +the passion-flower, with its large purple flowers +striated with azure, and crowned with its dark violet tuft, +waved in long spiral wreaths over the heads of the admiring +crowd, then, as though fatigued with the sport, +threw their colossal garlands of delicate flowers across +the hard, prickly leaves of the gigantic aloes.</p> + +<p>The bignonia of India, with its long, cup-shaped +flower of dark sulphur colour, and slight, slender leaves, +was placed beside the delicate flesh-coloured petals of +the stephanotis, so justly appreciated for its exquisite perfume; +the two stems mutually clinging to each other for +support, and mingling their leaves and flowers in one +confused mass, disposed them in elegant festoons of +green fringe spangled with gold and silver spots, around +the immense velvet foliage of the Indian fig. Farther +on, started forth, and then fell again in a sort of variegated +and floral cascade, immense quantities of the stalks +of the asclepias, whose leaves, large, umbellated, and in +clusters of from fifteen to twenty star-shaped flowers, +grew so thickly, so evenly, that they might have been +mistaken for bouquets of pink enamel surrounded with +leaves of fine green porcelain. The borders of the cases +containing the orange sand camellias were filled with the +choicest cape heaths, the tulips of Thol, the narcissus of +Constantinople, the hyacinth, irides, and cyclamina of +Persia; forming a sort of natural carpet, presenting one +harmonious blending of the loveliest tints.</p> + +<p>Chinese lanterns of transparent silk, some pale blue, +others pink, partly concealed amid the foliage, threw a +soft and gentle light over this enchanting scene; nor could +a more ingenious idea have been resorted to than in the +happy amalgamation of these two colours, by which a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_334" id="Page_334">[Pg 334]</a></span> +charming and almost unearthly light was produced combining +the clear cerulean blue of a summer's night with +the rose-coloured coruscations emitted from sparkling +rays of an aurora borealis.</p> + +<p>The entrance to this immense hothouse was from a +long gallery glittering with gold, with mirrors, crystal +vases filled with the choicest perfumes, and brilliantly +lighted, and also raised a few steps above the fairy +palace we have been endeavouring to describe. The dazzling +brightness of the approach served as a sort of penumbra, +in which were indistinctly traced out the gigantic +exotics discernible through a species of arch, partly +concealed by two crimson velvet curtains looped back +with golden cords so as to give a dim and misty view of +the enchanted land that lay beyond. An imaginative +mind might easily have persuaded himself he stood near +a huge window opening on some beautiful Asiatic landscape +during the tranquillity of a summer's twilight.</p> + +<p>The sounds of the orchestra, weakened by distance, +and broken by the joyous hum proceeding from the +gallery, died languidly away among the motionless foliage +of the huge trees. Insensibly each fresh visitant to +this enchanting spot lowered his voice until his words +fell in whispers; for the light genuine air, embalmed +with a thousand rich odours, appeared to cast a sort of +somnolency over the senses; every breath seemed to +speak of the clustering plants whose balmy sweetness +filled the atmosphere. Certainly two lovers, seated in +some corner of this Eden, could conceive no greater +happiness to be enjoyed on earth, than thus dreamily to +rest beneath the trees and flowers of this terrestrial +paradise.</p> + +<p>At the end of this winter garden were placed immense +divans beneath canopies of leaves and flowers; the subdued +light of the hothouse forming a powerful contrast +with the gallery, the distance seemed filled with a +species of gold-coloured, shining fog, in the midst of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_335" id="Page_335">[Pg 335]</a></span> +which glittered and flickered, like a living embroidery, +the dazzling and varied robes of the ladies, combined +with the prismatic scintillations of the congregated mass +of diamonds and precious stones. Rodolph's first sensation +upon arriving at this enchanting triumph of art +over nature was that of most unfeigned surprise.</p> + +<p>"This is, indeed, a wonderfully beautiful carrying out +of a poetical idea," said he, almost involuntarily; then, +turning to the ambassadress, he exclaimed, "Madame, +till now, I had not deemed such wonders practicable. +We have not in the scene before us a mere union of +unbounded expense with the most exquisite taste, but +you give us poetry in action. Instead of writing as a +master poet, or painting as a first-rate artist, you create +that which they would scarcely venture to dream of."</p> + +<p>"Your royal highness is too indulgent."</p> + +<p>"Nay, but candidly, all must agree that the mind +which could so faithfully depict this ravishing scene, +with its charm of colours and contrasts,—beyond us, the +loud notes of joy and mirthful revelry, here the soft +silence and sweet, gentle murmurs of distant voices, that +lull the spirit into a fancied flight beyond this fitful +existence,—surely, surely, without suspicion of flattery, +it may be said of the planner and contriver of all this, +such a one was born a poet and a painter combined."</p> + +<p>"The praises of your royal highness are so much the +more dangerous from the skill and cleverness with which +they are uttered, and which makes us listen to them +with delight, even in defiance of our sternest resolutions. +But allow me to call your royal highness's attention to the +very lovely person who is approaching us. I must have +you admit that the Marquise d'Harville must shine preeminently +beautiful any and every where. Is she not +graceful? And does not the gentle elegance of her whole +appearance acquire a fresh charm, from the contrast +with the severe yet classic beauty by whom she is +accompanied?"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_336" id="Page_336">[Pg 336]</a></span></p> + +<p>The individuals thus alluded to were the Countess +Sarah Macgregor and the Marquise d'Harville, who were +at this moment descending the steps which led from the +gallery to the winter garden. Neither was the panegyric +bestowed by the ambassadress on Madame d'Harville at +all exaggerated. No words can accurately describe the +loveliness of her person, and the Marquise d'Harville +was then in the first bloom of youthful charms; but her +beauty, delicate and fragile as it was, appeared less to +belong to the strict regularity of her features than +to the irresistible expression of sweetness and universal +kindness, which imparted a charm to her countenance +impossible to resist or to describe; and this peculiar +charm served invariably to distinguish Madame d'Harville +from all other fashionable beauties; for goodness of +heart and kindliness of disposition are but rarely seen +as the prevailing passions revealed in a face as fair, +as young, high-born, and ardently worshipped by all, as +was the Marquise d'Harville, who shone forth in all her +lustre as the brightest star in the galaxy of fashion. +Too wise, virtuous, and right-minded to listen to the +host of flatterers by whom she was surrounded, Madame +d'Harville smiled as gratefully on all as though she +could have given them credit for speaking the truth, had +not her own modest opinion of her just claims to such +homage have forbidden her accepting of praise she never +could have deserved. Wholly indifferent to flattery, yet +sensibly alive to kindness, she perfectly distinguished +between sympathy and insincerity. Her acute penetration, +correct judgment, and lively wit, unmixed by the +slightest ill-nature, made her wage an early, though +good-tempered war with those vain and egotistical +beings who crowd and oppress society with the view +of monopolising general attention, and, blinded by +their own self-love, expect one universal deference and +submission.</p> + +<p>"Those kind of persons," said Madame d'Harville one<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_337" id="Page_337">[Pg 337]</a></span> +day, laughingly, "appear to me as if their whole lives +were passed in dancing '<i>Le Cavalier Seul</i>' before an +invisible mirror."</p> + +<p>An unassuming and unpretending person, however +reserved and consequently unpopular he might be with +others, was sure to find a steady friend and partial +observer in Madame d'Harville.</p> + +<p>This trifling digression is absolutely essential to the +right understanding of facts of which we shall speak +hereafter.</p> + +<p>The complexion of Madame d'Harville was of the +purest white, tinged with the most delicate carnation; +her long tresses of bright chestnut hair floated over her +beautifully formed shoulders, white and polished as +marble. It would be an impossible task to describe +her large dark gray eyes, fringed with their thick +lashes, and beaming with angelic sweetness; her coral +lips, with their gentle smile, gave to her eyes the indefinable +charm that her affable and winning mode of +expressing herself derived from their mild and angelic +expression of approving goodness. We will not farther +delay the reader by describing the perfection of her +figure, nor dwell upon the distinguished air which +marked her whole appearance. She wore a white crape +dress, trimmed with the natural flowers of the camellia, +intermixed with its own rich green leaves. Here and +there a diamond sparkled among the waxy petals, as if +a dewdrop fresh from its native skies had fallen there. +A garland of the same flowers, equally ornamented with +precious stones, was placed with infinite grace upon her +fair and open brow.</p> + +<p>The peculiar style of the Countess Sarah Macgregor's +beauty served to set off the fair feminine loveliness of +her companion. Though turned thirty-five years of age, +Sarah looked much younger. Nothing appears to preserve +the body more effectually from all the attacks of +sickness or decay than a cold-hearted, egotistical disregard<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_338" id="Page_338">[Pg 338]</a></span> +of every one but ourselves; it encrusts the body +with a cold, icy covering, which alike resists the inroads +of bodily or mental wear and tear. To this cause may +be ascribed the wonderful preservation of Countess +Sarah's appearance.</p> + +<p>The lady whose name we last mentioned wore a dress +of pale amber watered silk, beneath a crape tunic of the +same colour. A simple wreath of the dark leaves of the +<i>Pyrus Japonicus</i> encircled her head, and harmonised +admirably with the bandeaux of raven hair it confined. +This classically severe mode of head-dress gave to the +profile of this imperious woman the character and resemblance +of an antique statue. Many persons, mistaking +their real cast of countenance, imagine some peculiar +vocation delineated in their traits. Thus one man, who +fancies he possesses a warlike air, assumes the warrior; +another imagines</p> + +<p class="center">"His eye, in a fine frenzy rolling,"</p> + +<p>marks him out as a poet; instantly he turns down his +shirt-collar, adopts poetical language, and writes himself +poet. So the self-imagined conspirator wastes days and +hours in pondering over mighty deeds he feels called upon +to do. The politician, upon the same terms, bores the +world and his friends with his perpetual outpourings +upon political economy; and the man whose saintly turn +of countenance persuades its owner into the belief of a +corresponding character within, forthwith abjures the +pomps and vanities of the world, and aims at reforming +his brethren by his pulpit eloquence. Now, ambition +being Sarah's ruling passion, and her noble and aristocratical +features well assisting the delusion, she smiled +as the word "diadem" crossed her thoughts, and lent a +willing ear to the predictions of her Highland nurse, +and firmly believed herself predestined to a sovereign +destiny. Spite of the trifling embonpoint that gave to +her figure (which, though fatter than Madame d'Harville's,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_339" id="Page_339">[Pg 339]</a></span> +was not less slender and nymph-like) a voluptuous +gracefulness, Sarah boasted of all the freshness of +early youth, and few could long sustain the fire of her +black and piercing eyes; her nose was aquiline; her +finely formed mouth and rich ruby lips were expressive +of the highest determination, haughtiness, and pride.</p> + +<p>The marquise and Sarah had recognised Rodolph in +the winter garden at the moment they were descending +into it from the gallery; but the prince feigned not to +observe their presence.</p> + +<p>"The prince is so absorbed with the ambassadress," +said Madame d'Harville to Sarah, "that he pays not the +slightest attention to us."</p> + +<p>"You are quite mistaken, my dear Clémence," rejoined +the countess; "the prince saw us as quickly and +as plainly as we saw him, but I frightened him away; +you see he still bears malice with me."</p> + +<p>"I am more than ever at a loss to understand the +singular obstinacy with which he persists in shunning +you,—you, formerly an old friend. 'Countess Sarah +and myself are sworn enemies,' replied he to me once in +a joking manner; 'I have made a vow never to speak +to her; and you may judge how sacred must be the vow +that hinders me from conversing with so charming a +lady.' And, strange and unaccountable as was this reply, +I had no alternative but to submit to it."</p> + +<p>"And yet I can assure you that the cause of this deadly +feud, half in jest, and half in earnest as it is, originates +in the most simple circumstance. Were it not that a +third party is implicated in it, I should have explained +the whole to you long ago. But what is the matter, my +dear child? You seem as though your thoughts were +far from the present scene."</p> + +<p>"Nothing, nothing, I assure you," replied the marquise, +faintly; "but the gallery is so very hot, it gave me a +violent headache. Let us sit down here for a minute or +two. I hope and believe it will soon be better."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_340" id="Page_340">[Pg 340]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You are right; see, here is a nice quiet corner, +where you will be in perfect safety from the researches +of those who are lamenting your absence," added Sarah, +pronouncing the last words with marked emphasis.</p> + +<p>The two ladies then seated themselves on a divan, +almost concealed beneath the clustering shrubs and overhanging +plants.</p> + +<p>"I said those who would be lamenting your absence, +my dear Clémence,—come, own that I deserve praise +for so discreetly forming my speech."</p> + +<p>The marquise blushed slightly, cast down her eyes, +but spoke not.</p> + +<p>"How unreasonable you are!" exclaimed Sarah, in a +tone of friendly reproach. "Can you not trust me, my +dear child?—yes, child; for am I not old enough to be +your mother?"</p> + +<p>"Not trust you?" uttered the marquise, sadly; "alas! +have I not on the contrary confessed that to you which I +should hardly have dared to own to myself?"</p> + +<p>"Well, then, come, rouse yourself; now, let us have +a little talk about him: and so you have really sworn to +drive him to despair?"</p> + +<p>"For the love of heaven," exclaimed Madame d'Harville, +"think what you are saying!"</p> + +<p>"I tell you I know him better than you do, my poor +child; he is a man of cool and decided energy, who sets +but little value on his life; he has had misfortunes enough +to make him quite weary of it; and it really seems as if +you daily found greater pleasure in tormenting him, and +playing with his feelings."</p> + +<p>"Is it possible you can really think so?"</p> + +<p>"Indeed, in spite of myself, I cannot refrain from entertaining +that opinion. Oh, if you but knew how over-susceptible +some minds are rendered by a continuance +of sorrows and afflictions,—just now I saw two large +tears fall from his eyes, as he gazed on you."</p> + +<p>"Are you quite sure of what you say?"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_341" id="Page_341">[Pg 341]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Indeed, I am quite certain; and that, too, in a ballroom, +at the risk of becoming an object of general derision, +if this uncontrollable misery were perceived! Ah! +let me tell you, a person must truly love to bear all this, +and even to be careless about concealing his sufferings +from the world."</p> + +<p>"For the love of heaven, do not speak thus!" replied +Madame d'Harville, in a voice trembling with emotion. +"Alas! you have touched me nearly; I know too well +what it is to struggle with a hidden grief, yet wear an +outward expression of calmness and resignation. Alas! +alas! 'tis the deep pity and commiseration I feel for him +has been my ruin," added she, almost unconsciously.</p> + +<p>"Nonsense! What an over-nice person you are, to +talk of a little innocent flirtation being ruinous, and that, +too, with a man so scrupulously guarded as to abstain +from ever appearing in your husband's presence, for fear +of compromising you. You must admit that M. Charles +Robert is a man of surprising honour, delicacy, and real +feeling. I feel the more inclined to espouse his cause +from the recollection that you have never met him +elsewhere but at my house, and because I can answer +for his principles, and that his devoted attachment to +you can only be equalled by the deep respect he bears +you."</p> + +<p>"I have never doubted the many noble qualities you +have so repeatedly assured me he possesses, but you know +well that it is his long succession of bitter afflictions which +have so warmly interested me in his favour."</p> + +<p>"And well does he merit this interest, and most fully +do his excellent qualities absolve you of all blame in +thus bestowing it. Surely so fine and noble a countenance +bespeaks a mind equally superior to all mankind. +How completely are you reminded, while gazing on his +tall and finely proportioned figure, of the <i>preux chevaliers</i> +of bygone days,'<i>sans peur et sans reproche</i>.' I once saw +him dressed in his uniform as commandant of the national<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_342" id="Page_342">[Pg 342]</a></span> +guard, and, handsome as he is, I really think he looked +surpassingly well, and I could but say to myself, that, if +nobility were the award of inward merit and external +beauty, M. Charles Robert, instead of being so called, +would take precedence of nearly all our dukes and peers. +Would he not be a fitting representative of any of the +most distinguished families in France?"</p> + +<p>"You know, my dear countess, how very little importance +I attach to mere birth, and you yourself have +frequently reproached me with being strongly inclined +to republicanism," said Madame d'Harville, smiling +gently.</p> + +<p>"For my own part, I always thought, with you, that +M. Charles Robert required not the aid of rank or titles +to render him worthy of universal admiration. Then, +what extreme talent he possesses! What a fine voice he +has! And what delightful morning concerts we three have +been able to achieve, owing to his all-powerful assistance! +Ah, my dear Clémence, do you remember the first time +you ever sang with him: what passionate expression did +he not throw into the words of that beautiful duet, so +descriptive of his love, and his fear of offending her who +was the object of it, by revealing it?"</p> + +<p>"Let me entreat of you," said Madame d'Harville, +after a long silence, "to speak of something else; indeed +I dare not listen further: what you but just now intimated +of his depressed and unhappy appearance has +caused me much pain."</p> + +<p>"Nay, my dear friend, I meant not to grieve you, but +merely to point out the probability that a man, rendered +doubly sensitive by the succession of past misfortunes, +might feel his courage insufficient to encounter the fresh +trial of your rejection of his suit, and thus be induced to +end his hopeless love and his life together."</p> + +<p>"Oh, no more! no more!" almost shrieked Madame +d'Harville, interrupting Sarah; "this fearful idea has +glanced across my mind already." Then, after a second<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_343" id="Page_343">[Pg 343]</a></span> +silence of some minutes, the marquise resumed, "Let us, +as I said before, talk of somebody else,—of your mortal +enemy, for instance," added she, with assumed gaiety of +manner; "come, we will take the prince for a fresh +theme of conversation; I had not seen him, previously +to this evening, for a very long time. Do you know that +I think he looks handsomer than ever? Though all but +king, he has lost none of the winning sweetness and affability +of his manner, and, spite of my republicanism, +I must confess I have seldom, if ever, known so irresistible +a person."</p> + +<p>Sarah threw a side glance of deep and scrutinising +hatred upon her unconscious rival, but, quickly recovering +herself, she said, gaily:</p> + +<p>"Now, my dear Clémence, you must confess to being +a most capricious little lady; you have regular alternating +paroxysms of admiration and violent dislike for +the prince; why, a few months ago, I mean about his +first arrival here, you were so captivated by him, that, +between ourselves, I was half afraid you had lost your +heart past all hope of recall."</p> + +<p>"Thanks to you," replied Madame d'Harville, smiling, +"my admiration was very short-lived; for so well did +you act up to your character of the prince's sworn foe, +and such fearful tales did you tell me of his profligacy +and misconduct, that you succeeded in inspiring me with +an aversion as powerful as had been the infatuation +which led you to fear for the safety of my heart; which, +by the way, I cannot think would ever have been placed +in any danger from the attempts of your enemy to disturb +its repose, since, shortly before you gave me those +frightful particulars of the prince's character, he had +quite ceased to honour me with his visits, although on +the most intimate and friendly terms with my husband."</p> + +<p>"Talking of your husband, pray is he here to-night?" +inquired Sarah.</p> + +<p>"No," replied Madame d'Harville, in a tone of embarrassment;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_344" id="Page_344">[Pg 344]</a></span> +"he preferred remaining at home."</p> + +<p>"He seems to me to mix less and less in the world."</p> + +<p>"He never liked what is called fashionable gaiety."</p> + +<p>The marquise's agitation visibly increased; and Sarah, +whose quick eye easily perceived it, continued:</p> + +<p>"The last time I saw him he looked even paler than +usual."</p> + +<p>"He has been very much out of health lately."</p> + +<p>"My dearest Clémence, will you permit me to speak +to you without reserve?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, pray do!"</p> + +<p>"How comes it that the least allusion to your husband +always throws you into such a state of extraordinary +alarm and uneasiness?"</p> + +<p>"What an idea! Is it possible you can mean it +seriously?" asked poor Madame d'Harville, trying to +smile.</p> + +<p>"Indeed, I am quite in earnest," rejoined her companion; +"whenever you are speaking of him, your countenance +assumes, even in spite of yourself,—but how +shall I make myself understood?" and Sarah, with the +tone and fixed gaze of one who wished to read the most +secret thoughts of the person she addressed, slowly and +emphatically added, "a look of mingled aversion and +fear!"</p> + +<p>The fixed pallid features of Madame d'Harville at +first defied even Sarah's practised eye, but her keen +gaze soon detected a slight convulsive working of the +mouth, with a tremulous movement of the under lip of +her victim; but feeling it unsafe to pursue the subject +farther at this moment so as to awaken the marquise's +mistrust of her friendly intentions, by way, therefore, of +concealing her real suspicions, she continued:</p> + +<p>"Yes, just that sort of dislike any woman would +entertain for a peevish, jealous, ill-tempered—"</p> + +<p>At this explanation of the countess's meaning, as +regarded Madame d'Harville's imagined dislike for her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_345" id="Page_345">[Pg 345]</a></span> +husband, a heavy load seemed taken from her; the +working of her lip ceased, and she replied:</p> + +<p>"Let me assure you M. d'Harville is neither peevish +nor jealous." Then, as if searching for some means of +breaking a conversation so painful to her feelings, she +suddenly exclaimed, "Ah! here comes that tiresome +friend of my husband's, the Duke de Lucenay. I hope +he has not seen us. Where can he have sprung from? +I thought he was a thousand miles off!"</p> + +<p>"It was reported that he had gone somewhere in the +East for a year or two, and behold, at the end of five +months, here he is back again! His unexpected arrival +must have sadly annoyed the Duchess de Lucenay, +though poor De Lucenay is a very inoffensive creature," +said Sarah, with an ill-natured smile. "Nor will Madame +de Lucenay be the only one to feel vexation at his +thus changing his mind; her friend, M. de St. Remy, +will duly and affectionately sympathise in all her regrets +on the subject."</p> + +<p>"Come, come, my dear Sarah, I cannot allow you to +scandalise; say that this return of M. de Lucenay is a +nuisance to everybody; the duke is sufficiently disagreeable +for you to generalise the regret his unexpected +presence occasions."</p> + +<p>"I do not slander, I merely repeat. It is also said +that M. de St. Remy, the model of our young <i>élégantes</i>, +whose splendid doings have filled all Paris, is all but +ruined! 'Tis true, he has by no means reduced either +his establishment or his expenditure; however, there +are several ways of accounting for that; in the first +place, Madame de Lucenay is immensely rich."</p> + +<p>"What a horrible idea!"</p> + +<p>"Still I only repeat what others say. There, the +duke sees us; he is coming towards us; we must resign +ourselves to our fate,—miserable, is it not? I know +nothing so hard to bear as that man's company; he +makes himself so very disagreeable, and then laughs so<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_346" id="Page_346">[Pg 346]</a></span> +disgustingly loud at the silly things he says. Indeed, +he is so boisterous that the bare idea of him makes one +think of pretending to faint, or any other pretext, to +avoid him. Talking of fainting, pray let me beg of you, +if you have the least regard for your fan or essence-bottle, +to beware how you allow him to handle either, +for he has the unfortunate habit of breaking whatever +he touches, and all with the most facetious self-satisfied +air imaginable."</p> + +<p class="ending">END OF VOLUME I.</p> + +<div class="tr"> +<h4>Transcriber's Notes:</h4> + +<p>This e-text was prepared from numbered edition 505 of the 1000 printed.</p> + +<p>In the original text the title "The Mysteries of Paris" is printed in Bold Gothic Font.</p> + +<p>Minor punctuation and capitalization corrections have been made +without comment.</p> + +<p>Minor typographical errors of single words, otherwise spelled +correctly throughout the text have been made without comment.</p> + +<p>Word Variations appearing in the original text which have been +retained:</p> + +<div class="tns"> +<p>"bull-dog" (1) and "bulldog" (2)<br /> +"protégé" (1), "protégée" (8) and "protégés" (1)<br /> +"rencontre" (2) and "rencounter" (1)<br /> +"Sarah Seyton of Halsburg" (1) and "Sarah Seyton of Halsbury" (1)</p> +</div> + +<p>Throughout the text, illustrations and their captions were placed on +facing pages. For the purpose of this e-text these pages have been +combined into one entry.</p> + +<p>Footnotes, originally at the bottom of a printed page, have been +placed directly below the paragraph in which their anchor symbol appears.</p> +</div> + + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Mysteries of Paris, Volume 1 of 6, by +Eugène Sue + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MYSTERIES OF PARIS, V.1 *** + +***** This file should be named 33800-h.htm or 33800-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/3/8/0/33800/ + +Produced by David Edwards, Christine Aldridge and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net +(Stanford University, SUL Books in the Public Domain) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +http://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at http://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit http://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + + +</pre> + +</body> +</html> diff --git a/33800-h/images/i001.jpg b/33800-h/images/i001.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..3c50123 --- /dev/null +++ b/33800-h/images/i001.jpg diff --git a/33800-h/images/i002.jpg b/33800-h/images/i002.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..b866960 --- /dev/null +++ b/33800-h/images/i002.jpg diff --git a/33800-h/images/i003.jpg b/33800-h/images/i003.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..d3bd319 --- /dev/null +++ b/33800-h/images/i003.jpg diff --git a/33800-h/images/i004.jpg b/33800-h/images/i004.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7d55de --- /dev/null +++ b/33800-h/images/i004.jpg diff --git a/33800-h/images/i005.jpg b/33800-h/images/i005.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..2c561a6 --- /dev/null +++ b/33800-h/images/i005.jpg diff --git a/33800-h/images/i006.jpg b/33800-h/images/i006.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..8f4660b --- /dev/null +++ b/33800-h/images/i006.jpg diff --git a/33800-h/images/i007.jpg b/33800-h/images/i007.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..f32a9a4 --- /dev/null +++ b/33800-h/images/i007.jpg |
