d when I think that I am going to gain four francs a day, and
know how many there are who only earn the half, or even less--"

"Will you come up and see the rest of the house?"

"With all my heart, M. Murphy."

"The person who is about to employ you is up-stairs."

"The person who is going to employ me?"

"Yes."

"Why, then, didn't you tell me that before?"

"I'll tell you--"

"One moment," said the Chourineur, with a downcast and embarrassed air,
taking Murphy by the arm; "listen whilst I say a word to you, which
perhaps M. Rodolph did not tell you, but which I ought not to conceal
from the master who employs me, because, if he is offended by it--why
then, you see--why, afterwards--"

"What do you mean to say?"

"I mean to say--"

"Well, what?"

"That I am a convict, who has served his time,--that I have been at the
Bagne," said Chourineur, in a low voice.

"Indeed!" replied Murphy.

"But I never did wrong to any one," exclaimed the Chourineur; "and I
would sooner die of hunger than rob; but I have done worse than rob," he
added, bending his head down; "I have killed my fellow creature in a
passion. But that is not all," he continued, after a moment's pause. "I
will tell everything to my employer; I would rather be refused at first
than detected afterwards. You know him, and if you think he would refuse
me, why, spare me the refusal, and I will go as I came."

"Come along with me," said Murphy.

The Chourineur followed Murphy up the staircase; a door opened, and they
were both in the presence of Rodolph.

"My good Murphy," said he, "leave us together awhile."

CHAPTER XIX.

RECOMPENSE.

"Vive la Charte!" cried the Chourineur. "How precious glad I am to see
you again, M. Rodolph--or, rather, my lord!"

"Good day, my excellent friend. I am equally glad to see you."

"Oh, what a joker M. Murphy is! He told me you had gone away. But stay,
my lord--"

"Call me M. Rodolph; I like that best."

"Well, then, M. Rodolph, I have to ask your pardon for not having been
to see you after the night with the Schoolmaster. I see now that I was
guilty of a great rudeness; but I do not suppose that you had any desire
to see me?"

"I forgive you," said Rodolph, smiling; and then added, "Murphy has
shown you all over the house?"

"Yes, M. Rodolph; and a fine house and fine shop it is,--all so neat and
so comfortable! Talking of comfortable, I am the man that will be so, M.
Rodolph! M. Murphy is go