"Oh, Germain, how you delight me in speaking so! How you assure me, not for yourself but for myself. So you will promise me, now you have my love to urge you on, that you will no longer be afraid to speak to these wicked men, so that you may not excite their anger against you?" [Illustration: "_Touched with His Lips through the Grating_" Original Etching by Mercier] "Take courage! When they saw me sad and sorrowful, they accused me, no doubt, of being a prey to my remorse; but when they see me proud and joyous, they will believe their pernicious example has gained on me." "That's true; they will no longer suspect you, and my mind will be easy. So mind, no rashness, no imprudence, now you belong to me,--for I am your little wife." At this moment the turnkey awoke. "Quick," said Rigolette, in a low voice, and with a smile full of grace and modest tenderness, "quick, my dear husband, and give me a loving kiss on my forehead through the grating; that will be our betrothing." And the young girl, blushing, bowed her forehead against the iron trellis. Germain, deeply affected, touched with his lips through the grating her pure and white forehead. * * * * * "Oh, oh! What, three o'clock already?" said the turnkey; "and visitors ought to leave at two! Come, my dear little girl," he added, addressing the grisette, "it's a pity, but you must go." "Oh, thanks, thanks, sir, for having allowed us thus to converse alone! I have given Germain courage, and now he will look livelier, and need not fear his wicked companions." "Make yourself easy," said Germain, with a smile; "I shall in future be the gayest in the prison." "That's all right, and then they will no longer pay any attention to you," said the guardian. "Here is a cravat I have brought for Germain, sir," said Rigolette. "Must I leave it at the entrance?" "Why, perhaps you should; but still it is such a very small matter! So, to make the day complete, give him your present yourself." And the turnkey opened the door of the corridor. "This good man is right, and the day will be complete," said Germain, receiving the cravat from Rigolette's hands, which he pressed tenderly. "Adieu; and to our speedy meeting! Now I am no longer afraid to ask you to come and see me as soon as possible." "Nor I to promise you. Good-bye, dear Germain!" "Good-bye, my dear girl!" "Wear the cravat, for fear you should catch cold; it is so damp!" "What a pretty cravat! And when I reflect that you knitted it for me! Oh, I will never let it leave me!" said Germain, pressing it to his lips. "Now, then, your spirits will revive, I hope! And so good-bye, once more. Thank you, sir. And now I go away, much happier and more assured. Good-bye, Germain!" "Farewell, my dear little wife!" "Adieu!"