The Slasher, the Schoolmaster, the Screech-Owl, Hoppy, and the other wretches whose misdeeds blacken these pages, form the foil; while Fleur-de-Marie, Clemence d'Harville, Miss Dimpleton, and Mrs. George are the gems which will be seen to shed their luster and charm over the no less interesting pages of the Second Division of this work, entitled, "_Part Second:_ NOON." PART II. NOON. CHAPTER I. THE ARREST. To the snow of the past night had succeeded a very sharp wind; so that the pavement of the streets, usually muddy, was almost dry, as Rudolph and Miss Dimpleton directed their steps toward the extensive and singular bazaar called the Temple. The girl leaned without ceremony upon the arm of her cavalier, with as little restraint as though they had been intimate for a long time. "Isn't Mrs. Pipelet funny," said the grisette to Rudolph, "with the odd remarks she makes?" "Indeed, neighbor, I think she is quite right." "In what?" "Why when she said: 'Young people will be young people--and where's the harm?--Love forever!'" "Well?" "Well! I mean to say that I perfectly agree with her." "Agree with her!" "Yes, I should like nothing better than to pass my youth with you, taking '_Love forever_!' for my motto." "I believe it: you are not difficult to please." "Where is the harm? We are neighbors." "If we were not neighbors, I should not walk out with you in this way." "Then allow me to hope--" "Hope what?" "That you will learn to love me." "I love you already." "Really?" "To be sure I do and for a very simple reason. You are good and lively; although poor yourself, you do all you can for those unfortunate Morels, in interesting rich people in their behalf; you have a face that pleases me much, and a well-turned figure, which is agreeable and flattering to me, as I shall frequently accept your arm. Here are, I think, many reasons that I should love you." Then interrupting herself to enjoy a hearty laugh, Miss Dimpleton cried: "Look! look at that fat woman, with her old furrowed shoes; one could imagine her drawn along by two cats without tails!" And again she laughed merrily. "I prefer looking at you, neighbor; I am so happy in thinking you already love me." "I tell you so, because it is so; if you did not please me, I should say so all the same. I cannot reproach myself with having ever deceived or flattered any one; when people please me, I tell them so at once." Then, interrupting herself again, to stop before a shop-window, the grisette exclaimed: "Oh, look at that beautiful clock, and those two pretty vases! I have already saved up three francs and a half toward buying some like them. In five or six years I may be able to manage it." "Saved up, neighbor? Then you earn--" "At least thirty sous a day--sometimes forty, but I only reckon upon thirty; it is more prudent, and I regulate my expenses accordingly," said Miss Dimpleton, with an air as important as though it related to the transactions of a financier.