The Mysteries of Paris V2

dry, as Rudolph and Miss Dimpleton directed their steps toward the extensive and singular bazaar called the Temple. The girl l

id the grisette to Rudolph, "w

or, I think she

wh

ple will be young people-and w

el

ay that I perfectl

e wit

than to pass my youth with you, t

ou are not diffi

e harm? We a

rs, I should not walk o

low me t

hat you will le

you al

all

rtunate Morels, in interesting rich people in their behalf; you have a face that pleases me much, and a well-turned figure, which

ook! look at that fat woman, with her old furrowed shoes; one could imagine

eighbor; I am so happy in t

ay so all the same. I cannot reproach myself with having ever deceived

ain, to stop before a shop-wi

I have already saved up three francs and a half toward buying s

eighbor? The

is more prudent, and I regulate my expenses accordingly," said Miss Dimpleton,

us a day, how can y

ifficult; shall I expla

avagant, so it may ser

s hea

make forty-five francs

es

ve twelve francs for lodging, and

francs for a m

or a person like myself, it is enormous; b

little

o include food

avagant. But let me hear the detail of your every-da

y do not soil the hands)-there is already ten sous; three sous for butter or oil and vinegar, as seasoning-thirteen sous; two pailfuls of water (oh, that is my luxury!) that will make fifteen

ou never

t smells of the kitchen, of the stewpan; instead of which, milk, fruit, and vegetables require no

up the

them with a little butter and milk, and a pinch of salt. It is a meal f

us see neighbor; we have already reckoned twenty-three francs for livi

ay for soap-as, excepting my sheets, I wash for myself: that is another luxury-a laundress would pretty well ruin me; and as I also iron very well, I thereby save my money. During

you more than a hundred f

hat I have saved the t

ur shoes and stockin

self; at home I am satisfied with my hair. As to my dresses and boots-is there no

them in their carriages a month or two-and their servants go and sell them to people who keep shops at the Temple for almost nothing. Thus, you see, I have a nice merino dress

ces of the Temple, I begin to think you can manage

nd almost new, for two or three francs. Look! would not any one say that they were made for me?" said Miss Dimpleton

ficulty in fitting it. After that you will doubtless

-by, the four hundred and fifty francs which I brought from prison assisted materially in establishing me. When once known that I possessed furniture, it inspired confidence and I had work intrus

allow me to say that you possess a

ation to any one, you must exercise some management to build your

nest is de

rds; in summer always at least two pots of flowers on the mantelpiece, besides the boxes in the windows; and then, as I told y

ecame of th

g these ugly pieces of money idling in a box, whilst poor people are perishing of hunger beside you,' so I lent them to More

longer in want, you surely will not

ill be something toward the purcha

u ought to think a l

fut

fall ill, fo

er, carrying a dog under his arm, turned round quite angrily, believing himself to be the butt. Miss Dimpleton, resuming her comp

ed something, and

" said Rudolph; "are y

ur fault

fa

ou say such sil

tell you that y

i

y n

looking person

held a face more

why do you thin

y,

o satisfy my hunger, which is not very great, it is true; I sing like a lark all day, and at night I sleep like a dormouse: I have a mind free, joyful, and

Miss Dimpleton's deep faith in her health and her eighteen years, her only treasures, appeared to Rudolph something akin to holiness; for, on the young girl's part, it was neither carelessness nor improvidence, but an instinctive reliance on the commiseration of Divine justice, which could

isette, "you are not ambitious

thi

tely no

l have them, though I do not know when; but I have it in my head to posses

es these o

ecollect a single thing more th

w n

ing for a suitable neighbor; so that I could arrange with him comfortably, as I have always

ke charge of my linen, and that I shall clean your room-without na

think that w

lse is

t of you. Is it not necessary that on Sundays you take me for a walk o

ummer we will go

good nature, with a young friend of mine, who was my companion in prison, to visit Meudon and Saint-Germai

has beco

Rest satisfied, that in our little excursions I shall not disgrace you. You will see how smart I shall look in my pretty dress of blue levantine, that I only wear on Sundays: it suits me to perfection. With that I wear a pretty little cap, trimmed with lace and orange-colored ribbon, which does not contrast badly with my black hair; satin boots, that I have made for me; an elegant shawl of silk imitation Cashmere! Indeed, I expect, neighbor, people will turn round to look after us as we pass along. Men will say: 'Really, that is a pretty little girl, upon my word!' And the women, on their part, will exclaim: 'Look at that tall young man! what an elegant shape! He has an air that is truly fashionable! and

arge bolt, made him almost believe that she loved her neighbors merely as brothers or companions, and that Mrs. Pipelet had caluminated her; then again he smiled at his credulity, in thinking it probable that a

of disposing of my Sundays," said Rudolph,

ncs, at the Chartreuse or at the Montmartre Hermitage, half a dozen country dances, or valses included, with a ride upon the woode

y we

for fun he would throw fulminating balls on the ground, which wa

s; then we shall have three francs left for the play, for I would not have you exceed a hundred sous- that is indeed too much to spend in pleasure; but if alone, you would spend much more at the wine-shop or the billiard-rooms, with low fellows

only if my friends should meet me with my

and say: 'He is not at all u

now my

I learned that the next ro

, as you say, they will remark: 'What a luck

h the b

hink me perf

will; and so m

ld not be so h

hey believe it; men require nothin

ur repu

st into an immoder

or mother, brother or sister, for them I should be careful of what people would say: but I am alone in th

hould be very

at

ontrary, I love you. It would be something like taking dinner with Pap

ness, or you liked better to go to the cafe, you could wish me good-night on your return, if I were still up. But should I be in bed, at an early hour next day I would say good-morning, by tapping at the wall to waken you. M. Germain, my last neighbor, spent all his evenings in that manner with me, and did not complain; he read all Walter Scott's works to me, which were very interesting. Sometimes on Sunday, when the weather was bad, instead of leaving home, he bought something nice, and we made a downright banquet in my

been lucky; but, speaking of

is, I b

never se

s house, he has no

he live, and w

k those questi

of him," said Rudolph,

leton, laughing. "There is no

sk of you; it will be for his interest also." "Seriously, neighbor, I believe you wish every good to M. Germain, but he made me promise not to give his address to any one; therefore, be ass

ut

t subject; I have made a promise, I intend to keep it, and, whate

n from her the desired information about Germain; and he felt a repugnance to employ artifice in surprising her confidence. He paused a moment, and then resum

! I wish I had some; it

at you have not a litt

t of the

dolph, looking steadfastly at Miss Dimplet

M. Giraudeau, M. Cabrio

the same as you love me

f M. Giraudeau, to the red beard and disagreeable jests of M. Cabrion, and the melancholy of M. G

ry, neighbor, if I spe

d then you are so kind, that I am sure you have not

now, frankly, have y

at very likely? Hav

as time to

ea or the other. Then, again, do I earn money enough to enable me to lose two or three hours a day in grief and tear

faithful, and do not cause

sence. I should invent a thousand chimeras; imagine that others loved him, and that he was with them. Heaven only knows what I might be tempted to do in my despair! Certain it is, that my work would be neglected, and what would become of me then? I can ma

libe

n who now employs me; I should receive four h

ill not ac

le my home may be, it is my own. I owe no one anything; I have courage, heal

never thought

myself; and look at the unhappy Morels-see where it ends! When y

ild castles in the

mney-ornaments; besides

eard, should die and leave you a fortune-say twelve hundre

a good thing-p

ev

ht embers that remain in my stove, I see my room neat-curtains, drawers, chairs, birds, watch, and my table spread with goods intrusted to me- and then I say to myself, `All this I owe to myself.'

uare, might be seen an immense parallelogram built of timber, surmounted with a slated roof. That building is the Temple. Bounded on the left by the Rue du Petit Thouars, on the right by the Rue Percee, it finished in a vast rotunda, surrounded with a gallery, forming a sort of arcade. A long opening, intersecting this parallelogram in its le

torn, split, and in holes, presenting a mass of nameless, formless, colorless objects, among which were grimly visible some species of fossil soles, about an inch thick, studded with thick nails, like a prison door, and hard as a horseshoe, the ac

p but in the bags of the retailer, after the most singular changes, the most extraordinary transformations, the most unheard-of discolorations. To prevent the merchandise taking up too much room in a shop usually of the size of a large box, they folded these bonnets in two, a

arates the Temple in two parts, were hanging, like exotics, numerous clothes, in color, shape, and make still more extravagant than those of the bonnets just described. Here were seen frock-coats, flashily set off by three rows of hussar-jacket buttons, and warmly ornamented with a little fur collar of fox's skin. Great-coats, formerly of bottle-green, rendered by time invisible, edged with a black cord, and brightened by a lining of plaid, blue and yellow, which had a most laughable effect. Coats, formerly styled the "swallow-tails," of a reddish-brown, with a handsome collar of plush, ornamen

which might here and there be seen some authentic relics of royalty or greatness, dragged by th

nse use to the humble classes, or those of limited means. There they might purchase, at an amazing reduction in price, excellent things, almost new, the actual depreciation in value being almost imaginary. On one side of the Temple, set apart for bedding, there were heaps

and money were requisite to fill a cart with all that is necessary to

e custom of the passers-by; these manners, stamped with a sort of respectful familiarity, seemed to belong to another age. Scarcely had Miss Dim

ew! I will unsew a corner, that you may examine the stuffin

iner than at first, for their stiffness has been taken o

sed twenty times. Look, my little lady; decide for your husband; give me your custom-I will furnish very cheaply for you-you will be satisfied-you will come again to

d fat woman shall have the preference. She takes us for young marr

en," answered Miss Dimpleton

at the preference accorded her; one of the neighbors, indeed, had the generosity to say, "So long as it is Mother Bouvard, and no other, who has this customer, it is very wel

good as new. If by chance you want a little old secretary, and not dear, there is one," and she pointed to it, "that I had in the same lot. Although I do not generally buy furniture, I could not refuse t

middle of the panel, inlaid with different-colored wood, Rudolph noticed a cipher in ebony, an M. and R. interlaced, and surmounted by the coronet of a count. He imagined its last possessor to belong to an elevated class of society. His curiosity increased; he examined the secretary with renewed attention; he opened mechanically the drawers, one after the other, when, finding some difficulty in openin

sessed no document relative to the sum placed in my name with M. Jacques Ferrand, as that individual never gave a receipt, but was honor and goodness itself, and it would only be necessary for me to call on him for the affairs to be satisfactorily arranged. As soon as I could possibly turn my attention to anything but the fearful death of my brother, I came to Paris, where I knew no one but yourself, sir, and that indirectly, by business you had had with my husband. I told you that the sum placed with M. Jacques Ferrand comprised the whole of my fortune, and that my brother sent me, every six months, the interest derived from that sum. More than a year having passed since the last payment, I consequently called on the notary, to demand that of which I stood greatly in want. Scarcely had I made myself known, than, without respecting my grief, he accused my brother of having borrowed from him two thousand francs, which he had entirely lost by his death; adding, that not only was his suicide a crime toward God and man

s since, my brother, who took upon himself the management of my affairs, wrote to me, saying, 'I have an excellent opportunity of realizing six per cent.; send me your warrant of attorney; I will deposit three hundred thousand francs, which I have concluded about, with M. Ferrand, the notary.' I sent the power of attorney; and, a few days after, he informed me that he had effected the deposit with you, and at the end of six months he sent me the interest of that sum. 'At least you have some letters from him on the subject, madame?' 'No, sir; as they related only to business, I did not preserve them.' 'I, unhappily, madame, know nothing of all this,' replied the notary; 'if my character was not above all suspicion, all attack, I should say to you, 'The law is open to you- proceed against me; the judges will have to choose between an honorable man, who for thirty years has enjoyed the esteem of persons of consideration, and the posthumous declaration of a man who, after ruining himself in the most hazardous speculations, found refuge only in suicide.' In short, I say to you now, attack me, madame, if you dare, and

s which followed: at last, at the bottom, in a corner of the page, Rudolph read t

o pitiless towards the unfortunate Morel, so infamous to Louise, his daughter, that a denial of the deposit, protected as he was from certain discovery, did not appear strange, coming from such a wretch. This mother, who claimed a fortune which had so stran

ly to his project, interest the heart and imagination of Lady d'Harville. The wording of the letter that he held in his hands, a copy of which, without doubt, had never been sent to the person from whom assistance was implored, showed a character proud and resigned, to whom the offer of charity would be no doubt repugnant. In that case, what precautions and delicate decept

pleton, gayly, "what is that s

are very curious. I will tell you prese

hed like kings. There remains only to pay. Mother

Morel and her children; I confess my ignorance on the subject of such purchases. You can tell them to bri

I always deal, and I shall find there all that I want." Miss Dimpleton went out, saying, "Mother Bo

"you must allow that you possess a famous little manager. She understands well how t

Am I not a happy hus

d as she is a wife

there; but tell me,

a heaven above, I only clear fifteen francs, for I did not buy them so cheaply as I might

same persons of whom you bo

aimed what is termed a shabby genteel appearance, but I am sure she was of real quality. At length she inquired, with a blush, if I would purchase two beds complete, and an old secretary. I replied, that as I sold I must buy, and that, if they suited me, I would have them. She then begged me to go with her, not far from here, on the other side of the street, to a house on the quay

d this yo

old she had on nothing more than a black cotton dress wi

lodging was

rchief. This bundle was all that remained to the mother and daughter, when once their furniture was sold. The landlord selected the two bedsteads, the chairs, trunk, and table, for what they were indebted to him, as the porter said who came up with us. When the lady begged me to put a fair value on the mattress, sheets, curtains, and blankets, on the faith of an honest woman

t of you, Mot

again to this house.' Then, speaking to her daughter, who was sitting on the trunk, crying, she said, 'Claire, take the bundle.' I remember the name well. The young lady rose up, but in passing by the side of the little secretary, she threw herself on her knees before it, and began to sob. 'Courage, my child, they are looking at us,' said her mother, in a low tone, but yet I heard her. You can understand, sir, they are poor but proud people. When the lady gave me the key of the little secre

their

presence of the porter; I had not the necessity to

eir new

so, I do

n inform me at t

y unhappy; some misfortunes have happened to them. They always appeared calm; but I am sure they were in a state of despair.' 'And where are they

males, having only as a clew the name of the young girl, Claire, and the fragment of a letter, of which

ng these unfortunates, rested in Madame de Lucenay, who,

Rudolph to the shopkeeper, giving

you the dif

age a cart to ca

sufficient; Father Jerome has one, quite close

Rue du

o. 17. Yes, yes,

ve been

rge business, but that was no affair of mine: she sold, I bought, and we were quits. Another time, not six month

rmain, perhaps,

. Do you

in the Rue du Temple his present addres

, I can remove

w where

ow where you will be s

e is

's, where he

nota

es in the Rue

errand!" excl

fix and a bit of the true cross in his

w that M. Germain i

ith me, for at the end of a fortnight he came to buy a bedstead and bedding. He brought with him a truck and a porter; they packed up all; but just as he was about to pay he found he had forgotten his purse. He appeared such an honest young man, that I said to him: 'Take the things with you, all the same; I will call for the

his goods, thinking that if he removed them it might give a clew to his new abode, and had preferred, to avoid this evil, purchasing others, and taking them him

eturned with joyful

e they not loaded? Nothing is wanted for the use of the family-even to a gridiron, two beautiful saucepans newly tinned, and a coffee-pot. I said to myself, since everything is to be had, it sh

d her companion entered the passage of the house, they were almost thrown

Miss Dimpleton, "what

e are you running

s Dimpleton?" exc

you. Help me! save

do you

rth of absinthe-very strong; that is the remedy when he is indisposed in the pyl

udolph's arm, and ran

et?" asked Rudolph, following the

Alfred from tiring himself. I returned; what did I see? the dear old man with his legs and arms all in the ai

for the questionable castor, pushed down, no doubt, by violence, if we may judge by a trans

t movements with his hands, as though he wished to repulse some on

r with my Alfred? It is his 'Stasie who is here. How are you now? They are coming to bring you some absinthe; that will put yo

atal word: "Cabrion!" His trembling hands seemed a

e dreadfully. That monster is his nightmare! Not only has he poisoned his days, but his nights also; he persecutes him even in

foresaw some new tri

's former

p. Why will you think on that beggarly fellow? You know that, when you think of him, it ha

h difficulty his hat from his eyes, whic

ed, carrying a small

aid the old woman. Then she added: "Here, darli

wife, profiting by the weakness of her victim, held his head with a firm grasp in one hand, and with the other introduced the neck of the vial bet

of his hand, opened his eyes, stood up, and a

ho

he g

whom do y

bri

ed-" cried

s the statue of th

his head twice i

ed Miss Dimpleton, restraining with

"Oh, if I had been here with my broom, he should have eaten it up, to

in religious silence. Pie expressed himself in these terms, with a voice deeply agitated: "My wife had just le

htmare all night, and I wishe

s I sitting quietly before the table, thinking of an alteration that I wished to make in this boot confided to me, when I heard a noise, a rus

d Anastasia, cl

just as in my dream. I tried to speak, but my tongue stuck to the roof of my mouth: I would have risen-I was glued to my seat; the boot fell from my hands, and

id Mrs. Pipelet, as much astonish

on me, as a serpent glares on the bird,

h all over!" gr

hands on my hat, took it slowly off my head, and left it naked! I was seized with giddiness-my breathing was suspended-a ringing came in my ears-I was more than ever glued to

ted her arms

hat on my head: then, with a blow on the crown, bonneted me as you saw. The last outrage quite overpowered me-the measure was full; everything abou

eaven in the attitude of mute imprecation. Miss Dimpleton left the room suddenly; her desire to laugh almost st

a multitude, was heard in the street; a tumult arose at the en

eton, running back, pale and trembling; "he

, in a burst of religious gratitude; "they com

under his black coat, entered the lodge. His

has fled!" said Pipelet, sadly; "but I can give you

u speak?" aske

you make all haste, there may be yet ti

s Cabrion is," said th

working lapidary,

rs. Pipelet, stand

e to his a

ortress, quite surprised; "he is as

Morel live

, sir, with his fa

then, to t

"Let the two municipal guards wait below, and not leave the alley

ate, addressing Pipelet

f Alfred, who is indisposed from the persecution of Cab

y Mrs. Pipelet, he began to ascend the stairs; but he soon stoppe

d what do you wa

fourth-floors,"

magistrate, said, "You will find a family in great distress, sir. I do not know what new misfortune menaces the unhappy artisan, but

t pos

speaks to you, and who is a king of lodgers, for he has saved, by his goodness, po

at Rudolph with as muc

worth I pledge my honor, was in a position as deplorable as it was unmerited, instructed me to pay a bill of ex

agistrate replied, "I do not doubt the probity of Morel; I only regret being compelled to f

n you me

a worthy man. Having, besides, no reason to conceal the object of the mandate I am about to

had offered to the bailiffs

is she

cused of i

Oh, her p

circumstances in which the artisan is placed, this new blow w

tion!" cried Rudolph. "The proo

been informed of this crime, or rather, the presumption, by the decla

the notary," said

But why thi

d, the notary, is

ak. M. Jacques Ferrand is the most honorable man in t

because his daughter repulsed his infamous propositions. If Louise is only accused

mony of M. Ferrand," said the officer coldly. "Justice has taken cognizance of the affair; t

ber you will find the artisan and his daughter. I conjure you, sir, in the name of humanity, do not arrest Louise suddenly in the midst of these misfortunes. Morel has gone through so many shocks this night, that his reason will give way: his wife is also dangerously sick-such a blow will kill her. If you will permit me, I'll ask you a favor. Th

arranged so, s

ken place in an underto

emselves discreetly

or neighbor, I must ask another favor; you must l

Rudolph. You have my key.

to the Temple to tell them to delay sending home our purchases for an hour."

u will know it

ks to you, thought them out of trouble," said

icer," said Mrs. Pipelet, "since my prince of lodgers accompanies you, I can go a

h arrived on the landing place of the fourth, opposite the door of

d weeping, came out quickly. "Adieu, adieu! fa

en," answered Morel, following his

h and the magistrate t

d; she wishes to go away. Is it not so, sir, that she must not return any more to her master? Did you not say, 'Louise shall quit you no more-this shall be your recom

vercome; be had not st

erely to Louise, "Ar

g girl, amazed. Rudolph had o

father?" added the magist

sir!

presence, the artisan and Louise, astonished and troubled, obeyed; the officer shut the door, and said to Morel, with emotion, "I kn

" cried Louise, throwing hers

el, stupefied. "Are you mad? why lost? arres

e law!" and the offi

nate that I am!" cried Lo

when our guardian angel restores you to us, to console us for the death of my little Adele? Come now! it cannot be! And besides, sir, speaking with respect, only criminals are arrested, do you understand-and Louise, my daughter

o mistake! Louise Morel, s

the workman, furious from grief, and advancing

and hope; your daughter shall be returned to you-her in

-then recollecting the gold that Louise had brought to pay the note, Morel cried,

he cheeks colored with generous indignation. Her

ry one who knows her, and they will say the same. She lie? she is too proud for that. Besides, the bill was paid

t accused of theft,"

r, swear that, whatever she is accused of, she

e proven-the person who interests herself so much in you will protect your daughter. Come, come. T

aughter is not taken away from a father without at least telling him

used-of infanticide,"

t comprehe

ng killed her child," said the of

roved that she has c

ing herself up: "I swear to you it was dead. It breathed no more; it was froz

hands to Louise, as if he wished to annihilate

her, pardon!

ilence, Morel went on with a

his creature; she

e embraced with both arms, and, with face upward, frantic and su

," said the artisan, making every effort to d

dolph, stopping him; "do

ng his face in his hands, "she di

d to save you?" w

, still kneeling at his feet, then, interrogating her with a look impossible to

as about to speak, but, on reflection, she

; "it is not he? oh, so much the better! so much the better. Sh

will tell all; to you alone; and you will see-

r the sake of pit

er infamy? it will soon

rds to my father before leaving him, perhaps forever. And before you

" said the

your child?" asked Rudolph. "If you think you owe me some return for th

rnful silence, Morel

asked Rudolph; "your fa

ide of the body of my child. The place is well chosen for this confession-is it not? Come-we will see if Louise will da

ong this interview. You said truly, his reason will n

une: I will shorten as much as possible the touching adi