"Then what matters it to you? Far from being disgraced in my eyes, I shall regard you as the martyr of your good heart." "But the world will condemn, calumniate your choice." "The world! we will be the world to each other, and then let them talk." "Finally, on coming out of the prison, my living will be precarious, miserable. Repulsed on all sides, perhaps I shall find no employment; and then, it is horrible to think of: but if this corruption which I dread should, in spite of myself, gain on me, what a future for you!" "You will not be corrupted; no, for now you know I love you, and this thought will give you strength to resist bad examples. You will think that even if every one should repulse you on your leaving the prison, your wife will receive you with love and gratitude, very certain that you are still an honest man. This language astonishes you, does it not? It astonishes _me_. I do not know where I find what I say to you. It is from the bottom of my heart, assuredly, and that ought to convince you; otherwise, if you disdain an offer which is made from the heart, if you do not wish the attachment of a poor girl who--" Germain interrupted Rigolette with warmth: "Well! I accept--I accept; yes, I feel that it is sometimes cowardly to refuse certain sacrifices; it is to acknowledge that one is unworthy of them. I accept, noble and courageous girl." "True! very true this time!" "I swear it to you; and, beside, you have spoken words which have struck me--which have given me the courage I wanted." "What happiness! and what have I said?" "That for you I ought to remain an honest man. Yes, in this thought I will find the strength to resist the detestable influences which surround me. I will brave the contagion, and will know how to preserve worthy of your love this heart, which belongs to you!" "Oh! Germain, how happy I am! if I have done anything for you, how you recompense me!" "And then, do you see, although you excuse my fault, I will not forget its gravity. My task, for the future, shall be doubled--to atone for the past, and deserve the happiness I owe to you. For that I will do good; for, however poor one may be, the occasion is never wanting." "Alas! that is true; those who are more unfortunate than one's self can always be found." "In default of money--" "One gives tears, that which I did for the poor Morels. And it is holy alms: the charity of the heart is worth more than that which gives bread." "In fine, you accept; you will not retract?" "Oh! never, never, my friend, my wife; yes, my courage returns; I seem to emerge from a dream; I doubt myself no longer! I wronged myself--happily, I wronged myself. My heart would not beat as it does beat if it had lost its noble energy."