main, in the Rue du Temple. We have no
instructions to proceed further in our investigations, but, from some
words which escaped the porteress, there is every reason to believe that
not only would it be possible to find in this house certain indications
of where the Schoolmaster's son may be heard of, through the means of
Mlle. Rigolette, but the house itself would afford my lord an
opportunity of studying human nature amid wants, difficulties, and
misery, the very existence of which he is far from suspecting."

"Thus you see, my dear Murphy," said M. de Grauen, finishing his report
and presenting it to his companion, "you see evidently that it is from
the notary, Jacques Ferrand, we must hope to obtain information
respecting the parentage of La Goualeuse, and that we must go to Mlle.
Rigolette to trace the dwelling of Francois Germain. It seems to me a
great point to have ascertained the direction in which to search."

"Undoubtedly, baron; you are quite right; and, besides, I am sure my
lord will find a fine field for observation in the house of which you
speak. But I have not yet done with you. Have you made any inquiries
respecting the Marquis d'Harville?"

"I have; and, so far as concerns money matters, his royal highness's
fears are wholly unfounded. M. Badinot affirms (and he is very likely to
be well informed on the subject) that the fortune of the marquis has
never been in a more prosperous condition, or better managed."

"Why, after having in vain exhausted every other conjecture as to the
secret grief which is preying upon M. d'Harville, my lord imagined that
it was just probable the marquis had some pecuniary difficulties; had it
proved so, he would have removed them with that delicate assumption of
mystery you know he so frequently employs to veil his munificence. But,
since even this conjecture has failed, he must abandon all hope of
guessing the enigma; and this he will do the more reluctantly, as his
great desire to discover it arose out of his ardent friendship for M.
d'Harville."

"A friendship which is founded on a grateful recollection of the
important services rendered by the marquis's father to his own parent.
Are you aware, my dear Murphy, that at the remodelling of the States in
1815, at the Germanic confederation, the father of his royal highness
had a chance of being excluded, from his well-known attachment to
Napoleon? Thanks to the friendship with which the Emperor Alexander
honoured him,