inspectress said to her:

"I see, with pleasure, that the presence of La Goualeuse in the prison
has brought good fortune to you and your companions. I know you have
made a subscription for poor Mont Saint-Jean; that is kind and
charitable, La Louve, and will be of service to you. I was sure that you
were better than you allowed yourself to appear. In recompense for this
kind action, I think I can promise you that the term of your
imprisonment shall be shortened by several days."

Madame Armand then walked away, followed by Fleur-de-Marie.

* * * * *

We must not be astonished at the almost eloquent language of
Fleur-de-Marie, when we remember that her mind, so wonderfully gifted,
had rapidly developed itself, thanks to the education and instruction
she had received at Bouqueval farm.

The young girl was, indeed, strong in her experience.

The sentiments she had awakened in the heart of La Louve had been
awakened in her own heart by Rodolph, and under almost similar
circumstances.

Believing that she detected some good instincts in her companion, she
had endeavoured to lure her back to honesty, by proving to her
(according to Rodolph's theory, applied to the farm at Bouqueval) that
it was her interest to become honest, by pointing out to her restitution
to the paths of rectitude in smiling and attractive colours.

And here let us repeat that, in our opinion, an incomplete as well as
stupid and inefficacious mode is employed to inspire the poor and
ignorant classes with a hatred of evil and a love of good.

In order to turn them away from the bad path, they are incessantly
threatened with divine and human vengeance; incessantly a sinister clank
is sounded in their ears: prison-keep, fetters, handcuffs; and, in the
distance, in dark shadow, at the extreme horizon of crime, they have
their attention directed to the executioner's axe glittering amidst the
glare of everlasting flames. We observe that the intimidation is
constant, fearful, and appalling. To him who does ill, imprisonment,
infamy, punishment. This is just. But to him who does well does society
award noble gifts, glorious distinctions? No.

Does society encourage resignation, order, probity, in that immense mass
of artisans who are for ever doomed to toil and privation, and almost
always to profound misery, by benevolent rewards? No.

Is the scaffold which the criminal ascends a protection for the man of
integrity? No