The sweet tears of Fleur-de-Marie, her language, so well chosen, struck Madame d'Harville with renewed astonishment.
"I cannot conceal from you," said she, "that your bearing, your words, all astonish me much. How, with an education such as you appear to have had, how could you—-"
"Fall so low, madame?" said the Goualeuse, bitterly.
"Yes, alas!"
"It is but a short time since I received it. I owe it to a generous protector, who, like you, madame, without knowing me, without ever having the favorable accounts which they have given you here of me, took compassion on me."
"And who is this protector?"
"I am ignorant, madame."
"You are ignorant?"
"He has only made himself known to me by his inexhaustible goodness.
Thanks to heaven! I found myself in his way."
"Where did you meet him?"