“And this is the way you treat her whom you have reduced to want! I have lost my mother, and I no longer have a husband! Chance alone is responsible for my meeting you; I have asked for you in all the places where you have lived, but no one has been able to give me any news of you. For a fortnight I have been here; I was losing hope when at last I caught sight of you, dear Edouard; and this is the way you speak to me; and you don’t even kiss your daughter!” “Do you want me to make a show of myself to the passers-by?” “How can the sight of a father kissing his child be absurd, in the eyes of decent people? But let us go in somewhere, into a café.” “I haven’t any time.” “Where do you live now?” “A long way from here; I was in very straitened circumstances, and Dufresne took me in to lodge with him.” “You live with Dufresne? A villain who has already been guilty of all sorts of crimes!” “Hold your tongue, and don’t bore me with your preaching! I do what I choose and I see whom I choose; I give you leave to do the same.” “What a tone, and what manners!” said Adeline to herself, as she examined Edouard; “but no matter, I must make one last attempt.--Monsieur,” she said aloud, “if it is want that forces you to remain with that scoundrel who deceives you, come and live with me; let us leave this city, which would recall painful memories to you, and come with me to some lonely place in the country; I have nothing, but I will work, I will work nights if necessary, and I will provide means of subsistence for us. In a poor cottage we may still be happy, if we endure adversity with courage, and Heaven, moved by our resignation, will perhaps take pity on us. You will find the repose which eludes you, and I shall find my husband. In pity’s name, do not refuse me; come, I implore you; leave this town, with its treacherous counselors and dangerous acquaintances, or beware lest you become a criminal.” Edouard was moved; his heart was agitated by pity and remorse, and he looked at his daughter for the first time. “Well,” he said to Adeline, “I will see; if I can arrange my affairs, I will go with you.” “What detains you now?” “A single thing, but a most important one; I must find out--where are you staying now?” “At a hotel in Faubourg Saint-Antoine; see, here is my address.” “Give it to me; to-morrow I will go to see you.” “Do you promise?” “Yes; until to-morrow. Adieu, I leave you.”