"I don't propose to have that, my little neighbor; you will go to sell your flowers as usual, and come here in the evening; even that will be very kind of you." Georget also asked Monsieur de Roncherolle's permission to come to see him, and he replied, pressing his hand: "As often as you can, my young friend; a little bit for me, and a great deal for this child,--for whom you will be a pleasant companion, and who will not be sorry to have you." The next morning the count called early to inquire for the wounded man's health, and told the concierge to tell Violette that someone wished to speak to her. The girl ran downstairs and said to the count: "You might have come up to my poor patient's room, monsieur, for he is asleep just now; and as he slept almost none during the night, I hope that he will not wake for some time." "I thought that his wound amounted to nothing?" "We thought so at first, monsieur; but he has had an attack of gout which has made him very feverish, and increased his pain." "Well, my child, to give him some relief in his suffering, take this letter to him, and when he is calm, and you two are alone, give it to him." "Very good, monsieur; and shall I say that it is from you?" "Yes, yes, you may act without secrecy now. Au revoir, my child; I hope that the contents of this letter, bringing him good news, will restore your--your neighbor's health." The count took his leave; Violette carefully bestowed in her bosom the letter which he had handed her, and returned to the sick man. About noon, Roncherolle, his pain having subsided, felt more calm, and tried to smile at the girl who was nursing him, saying to her: "You are alone, dear child; have our young men left you?" "Yes, monsieur, they are at their work; but I am not sorry, for you are comfortable now and I have something to tell you--that is to say, something to give you." "Something to give me? without their knowledge?" "Yes, monsieur, this letter; and as I was told that it would give you pleasure, that it might perhaps contribute to restoring your health, I was in a hurry to be alone with you so that I might give it to you." "A letter that will give me pleasure! From whom did you get it, my girl?" "From--from Monsieur Malberg." "From Monsieur Malberg? Georget's protector?" "Himself, monsieur." Roncherolle manifested such emotion, his face became so deathly pale, that the girl was terrified. "What is the matter, monsieur? do you feel worse?" "No, but what you've just told me surprised me so.--Do you know Monsieur Malberg, pray?" "Yes, monsieur. Oh! he is very kind, I tell you! he took Georget and his mother into his house, he is interested in me, and he has tried to help me to find my parents." "Your parents--but give me the letter, my child." "Here it is, monsieur."