"One night, in the city, madame," said La Goualeuse, casting down her eyes, "a man wanted to strike me; this unknown benefactor courageously defended me. Such was my first encounter with him."
"He was, then, a man of the common order?"
"The first time I saw him he had their dress and language, but afterward—"
"Afterward?"
"The manner in which he spoke to me, the profound respect shown him by the people to whom he confided me, all proved to me that he had disguised himself as one of the men who frequent the city."
"But for what purpose?"
"I do not know."
"And the name of this mysterious protector, do you know it?"
"Oh, yes, madame, thank heaven!" said Goualeuse, with warmth; "for I can bless and adore without ceasing this name. My deliverer is known as Rudolph, madame."
Clemence blushed deeply.