The Mysteries of Paris V2

gloomy

Rudolph standing with his back to the wall, was painfully affected. Morel, seated on his work-bench, his head down,

energy abandoned him-he sunk under this new blow. Louise, of a mortal paleness, felt her strength fail her. The revelation that she

rsting into tears, covered it with kisses, an

ong time retained, flowed at last. "My father, if

. "You in prison-in the dock-you, so proud-when you had the right to be so. No," continued he, in a new access o

sh it were so,"

t tell the truth. However frightful it may be, tell me all. If I hear it from you, it will appear le

factor, promise also, not to repeat this to any one. If he knew that I had spoken, do you see

what

mast

not

, and looking around her, as if s

ut no matter; we will face him. Besides, if I reveal what you are about

ill be to try to save you. But

e who has rendered me a great service-who has been for my father and family full of kindness

asy; his secret will be kept by you

at Rudolph w

w him?"

, and was employed at the notary's when you went there?" said Mor

that he worked for M. Ferrand. It was I who told him of the chambe

"who placed your daug

service to aid us. Madame Burette knew the housekeeper of the notary; she gave me a letter to her, in which she strongly recomm

rd your father," said Rudolph to Louise, "I beg you will relate to me in a few words what pa

e house was gloomy; but I endured all with patience; servitude is servitude, otherwise I should have had other disagreements. M. Ferrand had a stern look. He wen

o the top. Very often I was afraid to remain alone all the evening, either in the kitchen, which was underground, or in my chamber. In the night, I sometimes thought I heard extraordinary noises in the room under mine, which no one occupied, and whe

no one stirred; I was, however, sure there was some one behind the door; I asked twice who was there-no one answered. More and more alarmed, I pushed my chest of drawers against the door, which had neither lock nor bolt. I still listened-nothing stirred; at the end of half-an-hour, which appeared very long, I threw myself on my bed; the night

waited on table; M. Ferrand said to me, bluntly, 'Your father has need of thirteen hundred francs; go this night and tell him to come to my office to-morrow; he shall have the money. He is an honest man, and deserves that one should interest himself for him.' At

Morel. "I did like Louise; I wept with gratitude: I called him my benefactor. Oh! he mu

ank, at such a date that you could not pay it,

THE ARRIVAL O

ery three months it should be renewed for the sake of being regular; yet, at the end of the first term, it was presented, and not be

have you in his p

egan to-but continue, Louise, continue: I do not know where I

ers that M. Ferrand gave her for me; I suffered from this, and would have preferred another place, but the obligation of my father to my master prevented my leaving. It was now three months s

was then about to obtai

an errand; I remained in the house alone with my master; I was working in the ante-chamber; he rang for me. I entered his room; he was standing before the fireplace; I dre

said Morel to Rudolph, "the con

aid, in a voice trembling with rage, 'If you resist, I will send your father to prison for the money he owes and cannot pay.' I begged him to ha

Morel, "of my Louise, when she had the rig

* *

the house at once-but there was the prison. The little that I earned was indispensable to the family, since the illness of my mother; a

dice, the selfishness, to let our child return there. Oh! p

means to obtain the money? That b

our executioners; we are guiltier than you are,"

ate with Ferrand. At night I hardly slept. I feared at each moment to see the notary enter my room! He had taken away the drawers with which I had barricaded my door; there only remained a chair, a little table, and my trunk; I always retired to bed dressed. For some time he left me tranquil; he did not even look at me.

undred times I have spoken to your mother; but she always repelled me. Look at us well! look at us! To escape a prison, we leave our daughter at this monster's. And where does our child go to? To the dock! Because one is poor-yes-but the o

that your poor wife feared the consequences of Louise leaving the notary. Accuse no one. Let all the maledictions, all your hatred, fall on one man-this monster of hypocrisy, who placed a girl between dishonor and ruin; the de

nviction, in speaking of this providential vengeance, th

: "conceal nothing; this is m

and wine. My work finished, I dined; and then, fearing to remain alone in the apartments, I went up to my own room, after having lighted M. Ferrand's lamp. When he went out at night no one waited for him. I began to sew,

urself," sa

plain to myself this frightful night. I have almost

rtisan, "what is

ued Louise. "That is the last thing I recollect. Before-be

, I believe yo

slept; when I awoke I was

* *

made no reply. "The housekeeper, his accomplice, had put in the drink of Louise a soporific-opium, without doubt; the strength,

, "my misfortune is exp

an I appear. Father

rtisan was of a f

that for some moments his reason had deserted him; at each moment his ideas became more obscure; then he fell into that vacuity of thought which is to the mind what nigh

ty of indignation began to be exhausted with him; the same as after violent griefs tears are ofte

finish unveiling thi

you have heard is

* *

were taken to conce

do

drink I had taken, I could not explain my long sleep. Appearances were against me. If I compl