La Goualeuse shuddered at these words. In fact, what was to become of the child of this miserable, degraded, abased, poor, despised creature? "What a fate! What a future!" "Do not think of that, Mont Saint-Jean," said Fleur-de-Marie; "let us hope that your child will find benevolent friends in its way." "That chance never occurs twice, Goualeuse," replied Mont Saint-Jean, bitterly, and shaking her head. "I have met with you, that is a great chance; and then--no offence--I should much rather my child had had that good luck than myself, and that wish is all I can do for it!" "Pray, pray, and God will hear you." "Well, I will pray, if that is any pleasure to you, Goualeuse, for it may perhaps bring me good luck. Indeed, who could have thought, when La Louve beat me, and I was the butt of all the world, that I should meet with my little guardian angel, who with her pretty soft voice would be even stronger than all the rest, and that La Louve who is so strong and so wicked--" "Yes, but La Louve became very good to you as soon as she reflected that you were doubly to be pitied." "Yes, that is very true, thanks to you; I shall never forget it. But, tell me, Goualeuse, why did she the other day request to have her quarters changed,--La Louve, she, who, in spite of her passionate temper, seemed unable to do without you?" "She is rather wilful." "How odd! A woman, who came this morning from the quarter of the prison where La Louve now is, says that she is wholly changed." "How?" "Instead of quarrelling and contending with everybody, she is sad, quite sad, and sits by herself, and if they speak to her she turns her back and makes no answer. It is really wonderful to see her quite still, who used always to be making such a riot; and then the woman says another thing, which I really cannot believe." "And what is that?" "Why, that she had seen La Louve crying; La Louve crying,--that's impossible!" "Poor Louve! It was on my account she changed her quarters; I vexed her without intending it," said La Goualeuse, with a sigh. "You vex any one, my good angel?" At this moment, the inspectress, Madame Armand, entered the yard. After having looked for Fleur-de-Marie, she came towards her with a smiling and satisfied air. "Good news, my child." "What do you mean, madame?" said La Goualeuse, rising. "Your friends have not forgotten you, they have obtained your discharge; the governor has just received the information." "Can it be possible, madame? Ah, what happiness!" Fleur-de-Marie's emotion was so violent that she turned pale, placed her hand on her heart, which throbbed violently, and fell back on the seat. "Don't agitate yourself, my poor girl," said Madame Armand, kindly. "Fortunately these shocks are not dangerous." "Ah, madame, what gratitude!"