t she now writes in
two." And he continued:

"It is quite true, you know, monseigneur, that you used to mend
my pens, and when we think of it, we two Germains, we feel quite
ashamed when we recollect how free from pride you were. Ah, I am
again chattering instead of saying what we wish to ask of you,
monseigneur; for my husband unites with me, and it is very
important, for we attach a great deal to it, as you will see. We
entreat of you, monseigneur, to have the goodness to choose for
us and give us a name for our dear little daughter; this has
been the wish of the godfather and godmother,--and who do you
think they are, monseigneur? Two persons whom you and the
Marquise d'Harville have taken from misery and made very happy,
as happy as we are. They are Morel, the lapidary, and Jeanne
Duport, a worthy creature whom I met in prison when I went there
to visit my dear Germain, and whom the marquise afterwards took
out of the hospital.

"And now, monseigneur, you must know why we have chosen M. Morel
for godfather, and Jeanne Duport for godmother. We said it would
be one way of again thanking M. Rodolph for all his kindness, to
have, as godfather and godmother for our little one, worthy
persons who owe everything to him and the marchioness; whilst,
at the same time, Morel and Jeanne Duport are the worthiest
people breathing, they are of our own class in life, and
besides, as we say with Germain, they are our kinsfolk in
happiness, for, like us, they are of the family of your
proteges."

"Really, my dear father, this idea is most delightful and excellent!"
said Fleur-de-Marie; "to take for godfather and godmother persons who
owe everything to you and my dear second mother!"

"Yes, indeed, dearest," said Clemence; "and I am deeply touched at their
remembrance."

"And I am very happy to find that my favours have been so well
bestowed," said Rodolph, continuing his letter.

"With the money you gave him, Morel has now become a jewel
broker, and earns enough to bring up his family very
respectably. Poor Louise, who is a very good girl, is going, I
believe, to be married to a very worthy young man, who loves and
respects her as he ought to do, for she has been unfortunate,
but not guilty, and Louise's husband that is to be is perfectly
sensible of this."

Rodolph laid great stress on these last