Rigolette, trembling all
over.

"Very dreadful, indeed!" replied the squire.

"Yes, most awful!" said Rodolph, after a few moment's silence; then
recollecting Rigolette, he said to her, "Excuse me, my dear neighbour,
if I do not go up to your room with you. To-morrow I will send you my
address, and an order to go to see Germain in his prison. I will soon
see you again."

"Ah, M. Rodolph, I assure you that I share in the grief you now
experience! I thank you very much for having accompanied me; but I
shall soon see you again, sha'n't I?"

"Yes, my child, very soon."

"Good evening, M. Rodolph," added Rigolette, and then disappeared down
the passage with the various things she had brought away from Germain's
room.

The prince and Murphy got into the hackney-coach, which took them to the
Rue Plumet. Rodolph immediately wrote the following note to Clemence:

"MADAME:--I have this instant learned the sudden blow which has
struck you, and deprived me of one of my best friends. I forbear
any attempt to portray my horror and my regret. Yet I must
mention to you certain circumstances unconnected with this cruel
event. I have just learned that your stepmother, who has been,
no doubt, in Paris for several days, returns this evening to
Normandy, taking with her Polidori. No doubt but this fact will
convince you of the peril which threatens your father; and pray
allow me to give you some advice, which I think requisite. After
the appalling event of this morning, every one must but too
easily conceive your anxiety to quit Paris for some time; go,
therefore, go at once, to Aubiers, so that you may arrive there
before your stepmother, or, at least, as soon as she. Make
yourself easy, madame, for I shall watch at a distance, as well
as close, the abominable projects of your stepmother. Adieu,
madame; I write these few lines to you in great haste. My heart
is lacerated when I remember yesterday evening, when I left
him,--him,--more tranquil and more happy than he had been for a
very long time.

"Believe, madame, in my deep and lasting devotion,

"RODOLPH."

Following the prince's advice, three hours after she had received this
letter, Madame d'Harville, accompanied by her daughter, was on the road
to Normandy. A post-chaise, despatched from Rodolph's mansion, followed
in the same route. Un