ecutioner," cried Olivier, loudly, raising a wild and terrible
glance to the skies. Outside, things became unrestful; a sound of
people moving about made itself heard. "Ho, ho!" said he, with a bitter
laugh, "Desgrais is waking up his people, as if I could possibly
escape. But, let me go on. I was harshly treated by my master, though I
was very soon one of the best of workmen, and, indeed, much better than
himself. Once a stranger came to our workshop to buy some of our work.
When he saw a necklace of my making, he patted my shoulder in a kind
way, and said, looking with admiration at the necklace, 'Ah, ha! my
young friend, this is really first-class work, I don't know anybody who
could beat it but Rene Cardillac, who, of course, is the greatest of
all goldsmiths. You ought to go to him; he would be delighted to get
hold of you, for there's nobody but yourself who would be of such use
to him; and again, there's nobody but he who can teach you anything.'
The words of this stranger sunk deep into my heart. There was no more
peace for me in Geneva. I was powerfully impelled to leave it, and at
length I succeeded in getting free from my master. I came to Paris,
where Rene Cardillac received me coldly and harshly. But I stuck to my
point. He was obliged to give me something to try my hand at, however
trifling. So I got a ring to finish. When I took it back to him,
finished, he gazed at me with those sparkling eyes of his, as if he
would look me through and through. Then he said: 'You are a first-rate
man--a splendid fellow; you may come and work with me. I'll pay you
well; you'll be satisfied with me.' And he kept his word. I had been
several weeks with him before I saw Madelon, who, I think, had been
visiting an aunt of his in the country. At last she came home. O
eternal power of Heaven, how was it with me when I saw that angelic
creature! Has ever a man so loved as I! And now! Oh! Madelon!"

Olivier could speak no more for sorrow. He held both hands over his
face, and sobbed violently. At last he conquered the wild pain with a
mighty effort, and went on--

"Madelon looked on me with favour, and came oftener and oftener into
the workshop. Her father watched closely, but many a stolen hand-clasp
marked our covenant. Cardillac did not seem to notice. My idea was,
that if I could gain his good-will, and attain Master's rank, I should
ask his consent to our marriage. One morning, when I was going in to
begin work, he came to