give my hair to any one,--only I should have refused with the most
scrupulous regard to politeness."

"That is not all," chimed in the porteress. "Only conceive, sir, the
abominable conduct of that Cabrion, who, from morning to night, at all
hours and at all times, sends a swarm of vagabonds like himself to ask
Alfred for a lock of his hair,--always for Cabrion!"

"Ah, monsieur," sighed out poor Pipelet, "had I committed the most
atrocious crimes, my sleep could not have been rendered more broken and
unrefreshing; scarcely do I fall into a doze than I wake starting with
the idea of being called by that cursed Cabrion! I suspect
everybody,--in each person who approaches me I see an emissary from my
persecutor come to request a lock of my hair. I am losing my good
spirits, my temper, and becoming gloomy, suspicious, peevish, and
ill-natured. This infernal Cabrion has murdered my whole life!"

And Pipelet heaved so profound a sigh that his hat, vibrating for some
time from the consequences of the convulsive shake of the head
occasioned thereby, fell forward and completely veiled his care-stricken
features.

"I can well understand, now," said Rodolph, "that you are not
particularly partial to painters; but I suppose the M. Germain you were
praising so highly made up for the bad treatment you received from M.
Cabrion?"

"Yes, yes, sir; as I told you, M. Germain was a delightful young man, so
honourable and kind-hearted, open as the day, and ever ready to serve
and oblige; he was cheerful and merry as need be, but then he always
kept his high spirits within proper bounds instead of worrying people to
death by his unmeaning hoaxes, like that Cabrion, who I wish was at the
devil!"

"Come, come, my good M. Pipelet, I must not let you thus excite
yourself; and who, now, is the person fortunate enough to possess such a
pattern of a lodger as this M. Germain seems to have been?"

"That is more than I can tell you; no one knows whither he has gone, nor
are they likely, except, indeed, through Mlle. Rigolette."

"And who is Mlle. Rigolette?" demanded Rodolph.

"Why, she is a needlewoman, also living on the fourth floor," cried
Madame Pipelet; "another pattern lodger, always pays her rent in
advance, and keeps her little chamber so nice and clean; then she is
well behaved to every one, so merry and happy, like a bird, though, poor
thing! very like a caged bird, obliged to work early and late to earn
two francs a day, and of