"On the contrary, 'tis the excess of your goodness that makes me weep; indeed, I could almost fancy that you had brought me out solely for my individual pleasure and enjoyment, without thinking of yourself. Not content with your generous defence of me yesterday, you have to-day procured for me happiness such as I never hoped to enjoy." "You are, then, truly and entirely happy?" "Never, never shall I forget to-day." "Happiness does not often attend us on earth," said Rodolph, sighing. "Alas, no! Seldom, perhaps never." "For my own part, to make up for a want of reality in its possession, I often amuse myself with pictures of what I would have if I could, saying to myself, this is how, and where, I should like to live,--this is the sort of income I should like to enjoy. Have you never, my little Fleur-de-Marie, amused yourself with building similar 'castles in the air?'" "Yes, formerly, when I was in prison, before I went to live with the ogress,--then I used to do nothing all day but dance, sing, and build these fairy dreams; but I very seldom do so now. Tell me, M. Rodolph, if you could have any wish you liked, what should you most desire?" "Oh, I should like to be rich, with plenty of servants and carriages; to possess a splendid hôtel, and to mix in the first circles of fashion; to be able to obtain any amusement I pleased, and to go to the theatres and opera whenever I chose." "Well, then, you would be more unreasonable than I should. Now I will tell you exactly what would satisfy me in every respect: first of all, sufficient money to clear myself with the ogress, and to keep me till I could obtain work for my future support; then a pretty, little, nice, clean room, all to myself, from the window of which I could see the trees while I sat at my work." "Plenty of flowers in your casement, of course?" "Oh, certainly! And, if it could be managed, to live in the country always. And that, I think, is all I should want." "Let me see: a little room, and work enough to maintain you,--those are positive necessaries; but, when one is merely wishing, there is no harm in adding a few superfluities. Should you not like such nice things as carriages, diamonds, and rich clothes?" "Not at all! All I wish for is my free and undisturbed liberty,--a country life, and the certainty of not dying in a hospital. Oh, that idea is dreadful! Above all things, I would desire the certainty of its never being my fate. Oh, M. Rodolph, that dread often comes across me and fills me with terror." "Alas! poor folks, such as we are, should not shrink from such things." "'Tis not the dying in a charitable institution I dread, or the poverty that would send me into it, but the thoughts of what they do to your lifeless remains." "What do they do that shocks you so much?" "Is it possible, M. Rodolph, you have never been told what will become of you if you die in one of those places?" "No, indeed, I have not; do you tell me."