and, apparently was very attentively looking into the garden of the hotel,
could not refrain from blowing his nose with a most formidable noise, for
he wept like a child.

"Yes, my dear Marie," Clemence hastened to say, "your father is known--he
still lives."

"My father!" cried the Goualeuse, with an outburst which put the composure
of Rudolph to a new trial.

"And some day," resumed Clemence, "very soon, perhaps, you will see him.
What will doubtless surprise you very much is, that he is of high
standing--noble birth."

"And my mother, madame-shall I see her?"

"Your father will answer this question, my child; but shall you not be very
happy to see him?"

"Oh! yes, madame," answered Fleur-de-Marie, casting down her eyes.

"How much you will love him, when you know him," said the marchioness.

"From that day forward, a new life will commence for you, Marie," added the
prince.

"Oh! no, M. Rudolph," answered the Goualeuse, unaffectedly.

"My new life commenced on the day when you took pity on me--when you sent
me to the farm."