kindness. But who are these? I declare, M. and Madame Pipelet!
How very gay he looks; so different from the sad, dejected appearance he
always wore, while M. Cabrion was tormenting him as he did!"

Louise was right. Pipelet advanced in high spirits, and as though
treading on air; on his head he wore the well-known bell-crowned hat, a
superb grass-green coat adorned his person, while a white cravat, with
embroidered ends, was folded around his throat, in such a manner as to
permit the display of an enormous collar, reaching nearly up to his
eyes, and quite concealing his cheeks. A large, loose waistcoat, of
bright buff, with broad maroon-coloured stripes, black trousers,
somewhat short for the wearer, snowy white stockings, and highly
polished shoes completed his equipment.

Anastasie displayed a robe of violet-coloured merino, tastefully
contrasted with a dark blue shawl. She proudly exhibited her freshly
curled Brutus wig to the gaze of all she met, while her cap was slung on
her arm by its bright green strings, after the manner of a reticule.

The physiognomy of Alfred--ordinarily so grave, thoughtful, and
dejected--was now mirthful, jocund, and hilarious. The moment he caught
a glimpse of Rigolette and Louise, he ran towards them, exclaiming in
his deep, sonorous voice, "Delivered! Gone!"

"How unusually joyful you seem, M. Pipelet," said Rigolette. "Do pray
tell us what has occasioned such a change in your appearance!"

"Gone! I tell you, mademoiselle,--or, rather, madame, as I may, do, and
ought to say, now that, like my Anastasie, you are tied up for life."

"You are very polite, M. Pipelet; but please to tell me who has gone?"

"Cabrion!" responded M. Pipelet, inspiring and respiring the air with a
look of indescribable delight, as though relieved of an enormous weight;
"he has quitted France for ever--for a perpetuity! At length he has
departed, and I am myself again."

"Are you quite sure he has gone?"

"I saw him with my eyes ascend the diligence, en route for Strasburg
with all his luggage and baggage; that is to say, a hat-case, a
maul-stick, and a box of colours."

"What is my old dear chattering about?" cried Anastasie, as she came
puffing and panting to the spot where the little group were assembled;
"I'll be bound he was giving you the history of Cabrion's going off--I'm
sure he has talked of nothing else all the way we came."

"Because I'm half wild with delight; I seem to have got into anot