centre of the lodge, deeply engrossed in watching the boiling of a pot
placed over it. The description of Madame Pipelet may be given in a few
words. She was the most ugly, forbidding, wrinkled, toothless old hag
one might meet in the course of a long life. Her dress was dirty,
tawdry, and untidy; while her head-dress was composed of a Brutus wig,
originally of a blond colour, but changed by time into every shade of
red, brown, and yellow, the stiff ends of the perished hair standing out
like the ears of wheat in a wheat-sheaf. Much did Madame Pipelet pride
herself upon this tasteful covering to her sexagenarian skull; nor was
it believed she ever laid it aside, whether sleeping or waking.

At the sight of Rodolph the porteress inquired, in a surly tone:

"Well, and pray what do you want?"

"I believe, madame," replied Rodolph, laying a profound emphasis on the
word madame, "I believe there is an apartment to be let in this house?"

The deep respect implied in his voice and words somewhat mollified the
porteress, who answered, rather less sourly:

[Illustration: "_This Individual Was Seated by the Stove_"
Original Etching by Adrian Marcel]

"Yes, there is a room to let on the fourth floor, but you cannot see it
now,--Alfred has gone out."

"You are speaking of your son, I presume, madame; may I take the liberty
of asking whether he is expected in shortly?"

"I am not speaking of my son, but my husband. I suppose there is no act
of parliament why my Pipelet should not be called 'Alfred.' Is there,
pray?"

"None, certainly, madame, that I am aware of; but, with your kind
permission, I will await his return. I am very desirous of taking the
vacant chamber,--both the street and neighbourhood suit me; and the
admirable order in which the house seems kept pleases me excessively.
But, previously to viewing the lodging I am anxious to take, I should be
very glad to ascertain whether you, madame, could do me the favour to
take the management of my little housekeeping off my hands? I never like
to have any one about me but the authorised housekeeper belonging to the
house, when such arrangements meet with their approbation."

This proposition, so flatteringly expressed, and the word "housekeeper"
completely won Madame Pipelet, who replied:

"With the greatest of pleasure, sir, I will attend to all you require. I
am sure I shall be proud to wait upon such a gentleman; and, for the
small charge of six francs a month, yo