"Oh, there are many good and noble-minded persons capable of performing so good an action," pursued Fleur-de-Marie, after a moment's consideration, and with ill-restrained excitement; "I myself know one to whom it is equally a duty and a pleasure to succour and assist all who are in need or difficulty,--one who is beloved and valued by all good persons, as he is dreaded and hated by the bad." Rigolette gazed on the Goualeuse with deep astonishment, and was just on the point of asserting that she, too (alluding to Rodolph), knew some one capable of courageously espousing the cause of the weak against the strong; but, faithful to the injunctions of her neighbour (as she styled the prince), she contented herself with merely saying, "Really, do you indeed know anybody capable of generously coming forward in defence of poor oppressed individuals, such as we have been talking of?" "Indeed, I do. And, although I have already to solicit his goodness in favour of others also in severe trouble, yet, I am quite sure that, did he but know of the undeserved misfortunes of Louise and Germain, he would both rescue them from misery and punish their wicked persecutor; for his goodness and justice are inexhaustible." Madame Seraphin surveyed her victim with surprise. "This girl," said she, mentally, "might be even more dangerous than we thought for. And, even if I had been weak enough to feel inclined to pity her, what I have just heard would have rendered the little 'accident,' which is to rid us of her, quite inevitable." "Then, dear Goualeuse, since you have so valuable an acquaintance, I beseech of you to recommend poor Louise and Germain to his notice," said Rigolette, wisely considering that her two protegees would be all the better for obtaining two protectors instead of one. "And pray say that they do not in the least deserve their present wretched fate." "Make yourself perfectly easy," returned Fleur-de-Marie; "I promise to try to interest M. Rodolph in favour of your poor friends." "Who did you say?" exclaimed Rigolette, "M. Rodolph?" "Yes," replied La Goualeuse; "do you know him?" "M. Rodolph?" again repeated Rigolette, perfectly bewildered; "is he a travelling clerk?" "I really don't know what he is. But why are you so much astonished?" "Because I know a M. Rodolph!" "Perhaps it is not the same." "Well, describe yours. What is he like?" "In the first place, he is young." "So is mine." "With a countenance full of nobleness and goodness." "Precisely," exclaimed Rigolette, whose amazement increased. "Oh, it must be the very man! Is your M. Rodolph rather dark-complexioned, with a small moustache?" "Yes, yes." "Is he tall and thin, with a beautiful figure, and quite a fashionable, gentlemanly sort of air,--wonderfully so, considering he is but a clerk? Now, then, does your M. Rodolph answer to that description?"