"Mrs. Germain--Mrs. Germain, if it is all the same to you, my good Louise. But to return to what I was speaking about: you do not know who M. Rudolph is?" "He is the Providence of the unfortunate!" "It is true; and what then? you do not know. Well, I am going to tell you." Then, addressing her husband, who was walking near her, Rigolette cried, "Do not go so fast, my dear!--you fatigue our good mother; and, besides, I prefer to have you nearer to me." Germain turned round, lessening his pace a little, and smiled on Rigolette who playfully threw him a kiss. "How genteel my little Germain is! is he not, Louise? With that air so stylish! such a fine figure! was I not right when I found him more to my liking than M. Girandeau, the traveling clerk, or M. Cabrion? Oh! speaking of Cabrion--M. Pipelet and his wife? where are they? The doctor said they ought to come also, because your father often pronounces their names." "They will not long delay. When I left the house, they had been gone for a long time." "Oh! then they will not fail to be here; for M. Pipelet is as punctual as a clock. But let us return to my marriage and to M. Rudolph. Only think, Louise, it was he who sent me with the order for Germain's release. You can imagine our joy on leaving that dreadful prison! We reached my room, and there, aided by Germain, I arranged a slight repast, but a repast for real gourmands. It is true, it was of no great use to us, for when we had finished, we had neither of us eaten anything--we were too happy. At eleven o'clock, Germain went away; we agreed to meet the next morning. At five o'clock I was up and at work, for I was two days behindhand. At eight o'clock some one knocked; I opened; who should come in but M. Rudolph. At once I began to thank him from the bottom of my heart for what he had done for Germain; he would not let me finish. 'My neighbor,' said he to me, 'Germain will soon be here; give him this letter. You and he will take a cab, and go at once to a little village called Bouqueval, near Ecouen, on the St. Denis Road. Once there, you will ask for Madame George; and I wish you much pleasure.' 'M. Rudolph, I am going to tell you it will be another day lost, and, without any reproach, this will make three.' 'Reassure yourself, my neighbor; there is some work for you at Madame George's, whom you will find an excellent customer.' 'If that is so, very good, M. Rudolph.' 'Adieu, neighbor.' 'Adieu, and thank you, neighbor.' He went, and Germain arrived. I told him what had occurred; M. Rudolph could not deceive us; we got into a carriage, as frolicsome as children--we, who were so sad the day previous. Well! we arrive. Oh! my good Louise--hold! in spite of myself the tears will come to my eyes. This Madame George whom you see before us is the mother of Germain." "His mother?"