of a condition of life that is often accepted by
others with tears and curses of despair. Well, Mdlle. Angela, such a man
is--but, see! he could not arrive amongst us except in the middle of a
blessing. There he is--there is M. Hardy!"

"Oh, M. Agricola!" said Angela, deeply moved, and drying her tears; "we
should receive him with our hands clasped in gratitude."

"Look if that mild and noble countenance is not the image of his
admirable soul!"

A carriage with post horses, in which was M. Hardy, with M. de Blessac,
the unworthy friend who was betraying him in so infamous a manner,
entered at this moment the courtyard of the factory.

A little while after, a humble hackney-coach was seen advancing also
towards the factory, from the direction of Paris. In this coach was
Rodin.

(30) The average price of a workman's lodging, composed of two small
rooms and a closet at most, on the third or fourth story.

(31) This calculation is amply sufficient, if not excessive. A similar
building, at one league from Paris, on the side of Montrouge, with all
the necessary offices, kitchen, wash-houses, etc., with gas and water
laid on, apparatus for warming, etc., and a garden of ten acres, cost,
at the period of this narrative, hardly five hundred thousand francs.
An experienced builder less obliged us with an estimate, which confirms
what we advance. It is, therefore, evident, that, even at the same
price which workmen are in the habit of paying, it would be possible to
provide them with perfectly healthy lodgings, and yet invest one's money
at ten per cent.

(32) The fact was proved in the works connected with the Rouen Railway.
Those French workmen who, having no families, were able to live like the
English, did at least as much work as the latter, being strengthened by
wholesome and sufficient nourishment.

(33) Buying penny-worths, like all other purchases at minute retail, are
greatly to the poor man's disadvantage.

CHAPTER LII. REVELATIONS.

During the visit of Angela and Agricola to the Common Dwelling-house,
the band of Wolves, joined upon the road by many of the haunters
of taverns, continued to march towards the factory, which the
hackney-coach, that brought Rodin from Paris, was also fast approaching.
M. Hardy, on getting out of the carriage with his friend, M. de Blessac,
had entered the parlor of the house that he occupied next the factory.
M. Hardy was of middle size, with an elegant and slight figure,