merry songs as your birds.' 'Yes, indeed, my lord,' replied I (Madame
Georges had taught me as we came along how I was to address the prince),
'we are as happy as it is possible to be, and our happiness is the
greater because we owe it to you.'

"'Nay, nay, my good child,' said he, 'you may thank your own excellent
qualities and that of Germain for the felicity you enjoy,' etc. I need
not go on with that part of the story, Louise, because it would oblige
me to repeat all the charming praises I received; and, certainly, I
cannot recollect ever doing more than my strict duty, though the prince
was pleased to think differently.

"Well, we all came away more sorrowful than we went, for we found it was
to be our farewell visit to our benefactor, he being about to return to
Germany. Whether or not he has gone I cannot tell you, but, absent or
present, our most grateful remembrance and respectful esteem will ever
attend him.

"I forgot to tell you that a dear, good girl I knew when we were both in
prison together had been living at the farm with Madame Georges; it
seems my young friend had, fortunately, found a friend in M. Rodolph,
who had placed her there. But Madame Georges particularly cautioned me
not to say a word on the subject to the prince, who had some reason for
desiring it should not be talked about,--no doubt because he could not
bear his benevolent deeds should be known. However, I learnt one thing
that gave me extreme pleasure, that my sweet Goualeuse had found her
parents, and that they had taken her a great, great way from Paris; I
could not help feeling grieved, too, that I had not been able to wish
her good-bye before she went.

"But forgive me, dear Louise, for being so selfish as to keep talking to
you of every one's happiness when you have so much reason to be
sorrowful yourself."

"Had my child but been spared to me," said poor Louise, sadly, "it would
have been some consolation to me; for how can I ever hope to find any
honest man who would make me his wife, although I have got money enough
to tempt any one."

"For my part, Louise, I feel quite sure that one of these days I shall
see you happily married to a good and worthy partner, who will pity you
for your past troubles, and love and esteem you for the patience with
which you endured them."

"Ah, Madame Germain, you only say so to try and comfort me; but whether
you really believe what you say or no, I gratefully feel and thank you
for your