ter is going to buy himself a horse and a red coat, and to sell his
drugs in the market-places, and that young Tortillard is to be dressed
like a page and be at the drum, to attract customers."

"This seems to me a very humble occupation for the son of your principal
lessee."

"Why, his father says unless he gets a pretty strong hand over him, and
a tolerably powerful taste of whipcord, in the way of a sound thrashing,
every now and then, he is safe to come to the scaffold. And he is about
the ugliest, most spiteful, ill-disposed young rascal one would wish to
meet: he has played more than one abominable trick upon poor M. Cesar
Bradamanti, who is the best creature possible; for he cured Alfred of a
rheumatic attack, and I promise you we have not forgotten it. Yet there
are some people wicked enough to--But no, I will not tell you: it would
make the hair of your head stand on end. As Alfred says, if it were
true, it would send him to the galleys."

"Why, what do they accuse him of?"

"Oh, I really cannot tell you! I can't, indeed; for it is so--"

"Then we will drop the subject."

"And to say such things of a young man! Upon my life and soul, it is too
bad."

"Pray, Madame Pipelet, do not give yourself the trouble of saying any
more about it: let us speak of other matters."

"Why, I don't know but, as you are to live in the house, it is only fair
and right to prepare you for any falsehoods you may hear. I suppose you
are sufficiently well off to make the acquaintance of M. Cesar
Bradamanti, and unless you are put on your guard against these reports,
they might lead to your breaking off with him. So, just put your ear
down and I'll whisper what it is people say about him."

And the old woman, in a low tone, muttered a few words as Rodolph
inclined his head; he started from her, with mingled disgust and horror.

"Impossible!" exclaimed he. "Surely human nature is not capable of such
crimes!"

"Shocking! Is it not? But treat it as I do,--all scandal and lies. What,
do you think the man who cured Alfred's rheumatism,--who draws five
teeth out of six for nothing,--who has testimonies (testimonials) from
every prince and king in the world,--and, above all, pays as he goes,
down on the nail, would go for to do such things? Not he! I'll stake my
blessed life upon it."

While Madame Pipelet thus vented her indignant opinion concerning the
reports in circulation, Rodolph recalled to his memory the letter he had
see