"Oh! Germain, how handsome you look while thus speaking! How you reanimate me, not for myself, but for you! Now, you promise, do you not, that, now you have my love to shield you, you will no longer fear to speak to these wicked men, in order not to excite their anger against you?" "Be comforted. On seeing me sad and dejected, they, doubtless, accused me of being a prey to my remorse; and in seeing me joyous and gay, they will think that I have acquired their recklessness." "It is true; they will suspect you no more, and I shall be happy. So, no imprudence; now you belong to me. I am your little wife!" At this moment the warder stirred: he awoke. "Quick!" whispered Rigolette, with a smile full of grace and maiden tenderness; "quick, my husband, give me a sweet kiss on my forehead, through the grating; it will be our betrothal!" And the girl leaned her face against the iron bars. Germain, profoundly affected, touched with his lips, through the grating, the pure and white forehead. A tear from the prisoner fell like a humid pearl. Oh! touching baptism, of this chaste, melancholy, and charming love! "Ho! ho! already three o'clock!" said the warder, rising from his seat; "and visitors ought to leave at two. Come, my dear," added he, addressing the grisette; "it is a pity, but you must part." "Oh! thank you, thank you, sir, for allowing us to talk alone. I have given Germain good courage; he will no longer look so sorrowful, and thus he will have nothing more to fear from his wicked companions. Is it not so, my friend?" "Be tranquil," said Germain, smiling; "I shall be for the future the gayest in the prison." "Very good; then they will pay no more attention to you," said the warder. "Here is a cravat which I have brought for Germain," said Rigolette; "must I leave it at the office?" "It is the rule; but, after all, while I have already transgressed orders, in for a lamb, in for a sheep--come, make the day complete; give him quickly the present yourself." And the warder opened the door. "The good man is right; the happiness of the day will be complete," said François Germain, on receiving the cravat from the hands of Rigolette, which he tenderly pressed. "Adieu! Now I have no longer any fear to ask you to come and see me as soon as possible." "Nor I to promise it. Adieu, good Germain!" "Farewell, my own darling!" "And be sure to make use of my cravat; take care you do not catch cold; it is so damp." "What a handsome cravat! When I think that you made it for me! Oh! I will always keep it," said Germain, carrying it to his lips. "Now you will have some appetite, I hope. Do you wish that I should make my little dish for you?" "Certainly, and this time I will do it honor." "Do not be uneasy, then, Mister Glutton; you shall give me your opinion. Come, once more, adieu. Thank you, Mister Warder; today I go away very happy and gratified. Adieu, Germain." "Adieu, my little wife: soon again!" "Forever yours!"