In spite of her giddiness and frivolity, the girl pronounced these last words so decisively, that Rudolph felt, to his great regret, that he would never obtain from her the desired information about Germain; and he felt a repugnance to employ artifice in surprising her confidence. He paused a moment, and then resumed: "Do not let us speak of it again, neighbor. Upon my soul, you keep so well the secrets of others, that I am no longer surprised at your keeping your own." "Secrets! I have secrets! I wish I had some; it must be so very amusing." "Do you mean to say that you have not a little secret of the heart?" "A secret of the heart!" "In a word, have you never loved?" said Rudolph, looking steadfastly at Miss Dimpleton, to read the truth in her tell-tale face. "Loved!--have I not loved M. Giraudeau, M. Cabrion, M. Germain, and you?" "And did you love them the same as you love me--neither more nor less?" "Oh, I cannot tell you that, exactly--less, perhaps; for I had to habituate myself to the squint of M. Giraudeau, to the red beard and disagreeable jests of M. Cabrion, and the melancholy of M. Germain, for he was so very sad, poor young man: while you, on the contrary, pleased me instantly." "You will not feel angry, neighbor, if I speak to you as a friend?" "Oh, no, don't be afraid--I am very good-natured; and then you are so kind, that I am sure you have not the heart to say anything that would cause me pain." "Certainly not; but now, frankly, have you never had--a lover?" "Lovers! Now, is that very likely? Have I time for that?" "But what has time to do with it?" "Everything. First of all, I should be as jealous as a tiger, and I should be constantly worrying myself with one idea or the other. Then, again, do I earn money enough to enable me to lose two or three hours a day in grief and tears?--and if he deceived me, what weeping, what sorrow! All that would throw me pretty well behindhand, you may guess." "But all lovers are not unfaithful, and do not cause their mistresses to weep." "That would be still worse. If he were very good and loving, could I live a moment away from him? And then, as most likely he would be obliged to stay all day, either at the desk, manufactory, or shop, I should be like a poor restless spirit during his absence. I should invent a thousand chimeras; imagine that others loved him, and that he was with them. Heaven only knows what I might be tempted to do in my despair! Certain it is, that my work would be neglected, and what would become of me then? I can manage, quiet as I am, to live by working twelve or fourteen hours a day; but, were I to lose two or three days in the week by tormenting myself, how could I make up the lost time? Impossible! I must then take a situation. Oh, no, I love my liberty too well." "Your liberty?" "Yes; I could enter as forewoman to the person who now employs me; I should receive four hundred francs a year, with board and lodging." "And you will not accept that?"