ast
abominable prank of Cabrion's; but I'll tell you about that another
time. As for your young relation, make yourself quite easy; I will
undertake to play my part so well that old Seraphin shall come to me,
and beg to have her as a servant."

"And if you succeed, Madame Pipelet, I have one hundred francs quite at
your service. I am not rich, but--"

"Are you making fun of me, M. Rodolph, or do you imagine I am doing what
I do for the sake of gain? I declare to God it's out of nothing but pure
friendship! One hundred francs! That's handsome, however!"

"Why, I consider it but an act of justice, as well as gratitude, to
offer you a sum which, if left several months on my hands, the girl must
soon have cost me."

"Ah, well, then, since I can serve you by accepting your hundred francs,
of course I have no further objection, M. Rodolph; but we drew a famous
prize in the lottery when you came into the house, and I don't care who
hears me say it, for I'd as lief cry it on the housetops. You are the
very prince and king of good lodgers! Halloa, there is a hackney-coach!
No doubt, the lady M. Bradamanti expects; I could not manage to see her
well when she came yesterday, but I'll have a precious good stare at her
this time; added to which, I've got a capital plan for finding out her
name. Come, you shall see me go to work; it will be a famous lark for
us!"

"No, I thank you, Madame Pipelet; I have not the slightest curiosity
respecting either the name or features of this lady," returned Rodolph,
withdrawing to the very end of the lodge.

"Where do you wish to go, madame?" cried Anastasie, rushing towards the
female, who was entering.

"I am going to M. Bradamanti's," returned the person addressed, visibly
annoyed at having her progress thus arrested.

"He is not at home."

"You are mistaken."

"Oh, no, I am not!" said the porteress, skilfully contriving so to place
herself as to command a perfect view of the stranger's features. "M.
Bradamanti has gone out, positively, absolutely gone out; that is to
say, he is not at home, except to one lady."

"'Tis I, he expects me; and pray, my good woman, allow me to pass; you
are really troublesome!"

"Your name, madame, if you please? I shall soon see if it is the name of
the person M. Bradamanti desired me to admit. Should yours not be the
right name, you don't go up-stairs, unless you first trample on my
body!"

"Is it possible he could be so imprudent as to tell you