trouble to me now.'"

Rodolph began to be really troubled how to convince the Chourineur, and
said in a solemn, impressive, and almost severe tone:

"I never make sport of the gratitude and sympathy with which noble
conduct inspires me. I have said this house and this establishment are
yours, if they suit you, for the bargain is conditional. I swear to you,
on my honour, all this belongs to you; and I make you a present of it,
for the reasons I have already given."

The dignified and firm tone, and the serious expression of the features
of Rodolph, at length convinced the Chourineur. For some moments he
looked at his protector in silence, and then said, in a voice of deep
emotion:

"I believe you, my lord, and I thank you much. A poor man like me cannot
make fine speeches, but once more, indeed, on my word, I thank you very
much. All I can say is, that I will never refuse assistance to the
unhappy; because Hunger and Misery are ogresses of the same sort as
those who laid hands on the poor Goualeuse; and, once in that sink, it
is not every one that has the fist strong enough to pull you out again."

"My worthy fellow, you cannot prove your gratitude more than in speaking
to me thus."

"So much the better, my lord; for else I should have a hard job to prove
it."

"Come, now, let us visit your house; my good old Murphy has had the
pleasure, and I should like it also."

Rodolph and the Chourineur came down-stairs. At the moment they reached
the yard, the shopman, addressing the Chourineur, said to him,
respectfully:

"Since you, sir, are to be my master, I beg to tell you that our custom
is capital. We have no more cutlets or legs of mutton left, and we must
kill a sheep or two directly."

"_Parbleu!_" said Rodolph to the Chourineur; "here is a capital
opportunity for exercising your skill. I should like to have the first
sample,--the open air has given me an appetite, and I will taste your
cutlets."

"You are very kind, M. Rodolph," said the Chourineur, in a cheerful
voice; "you flatter me, but I will do my best."

"Shall I bring two sheep to the slaughter-house, master?" asked the
journeyman.

"Yes; and bring a well-sharpened knife, not too thin in the blade, and
strong in the back."

"I have just what you want, master. There, you could shave with it. Take
it--"

"_Tonnerre_, M. Rodolph!" said the Chourineur, taking off his upper coat
with haste, and turning up his shirtsleeves, which displayed a pai