y service to them? Since my predecessor, M. Germain, was permitted to
assist them according to _his_ means, why should they not accept of what
trifling help I can afford?"

"Why, sir, I see no harm in your going to call on the Morels, because it
may please the poor things; but I hardly see much good it can do, as
they are so shortly to be turned out of the house." Then, as if suddenly
struck with a new idea, M. Pipelet exclaimed, winking at Rodolph with
what he intended should be a very facetious and penetrating look, "I
see, I see,--you mean to begin making acquaintance with the lodgers at
the top of the house, that you may be able to work your way down to
Mlle. Rigolette. Ah, I've found you out, you see,--pretty girl--"

"Well, I think you have discovered my intentions, so I will confess at
once that I mean to try and be on friendly terms with my agreeable
neighbour."

"There is no harm in that, sir,--it is customary; only all correct, all
right and honourable,--you understand. Between you and me, I strongly
suspect Mlle. Rigolette heard us coming up-stairs, and that she is
watching to have a look as we go down. I will make a noise purposely in
locking the door; if you look sharp, you will see her as we pass the
landing." And, true to the porter's suspicions, the door so tastefully
enlivened by the fat Cupids, _a la Watteau_, was seen to open gently,
and Rodolph had a brief view of a little, turned-up nose, and a pair of
large, staring black eyes, peeping through the narrow space; but, as he
slacked his steps, the door was hastily shut. "I told you she was
watching us," said the porter. Then added, "Excuse me one instant, sir;
I want to step up to my warehouse."

"Where is that?"

"At the top of this ladder is the landing-place, on which the door of
Morel's garret opens, and in the wainscoting of this landing is a small
dark cupboard, where I keep my leather, and the wall is so full of
cracks, that when I am in this hole I can see and hear everything, the
same as if I was in Morel's room. Not that I wish to spy what the poor
creatures are about, God knows,--quite the contrary. But please to
excuse me for a few minutes, sir, whilst I fetch my bit of leather. If
you will have the goodness to go down-stairs, I will rejoin you."

And, so saying, Pipelet commenced ascending the steep ladder
communicating with his warehouse, as he styled it,--a somewhat perilous
feat for a person of his age.

Rodolph, thus left alon