"But, once more, believe—"
"If I were to believe you, then you would say, 'Poor Chourineur! go! you are a trouble to me now.'"
Rodolph began to be really troubled how to convince the Chourineur, and said in a solemn, impressive, and almost severe tone:
"I never make sport of the gratitude and sympathy with which noble conduct inspires me. I have said this house and this establishment are yours, if they suit you, for the bargain is conditional. I swear to you, on my honour, all this belongs to you; and I make you a present of it, for the reasons I have already given."
The dignified and firm tone, and the serious expression of the features of Rodolph, at length convinced the Chourineur. For some moments he looked at his protector in silence, and then said, in a voice of deep emotion:
"I believe you, my lord, and I thank you much. A poor man like me cannot make fine speeches, but once more, indeed, on my word, I thank you very much. All I can say is, that I will never refuse assistance to the unhappy; because Hunger and Misery are ogresses of the same sort as those who laid hands on the poor Goualeuse; and, once in that sink, it is not every one that has the fist strong enough to pull you out again."
"My worthy fellow, you cannot prove your gratitude more than in speaking to me thus."
"So much the better, my lord; for else I should have a hard job to prove it."
"Come, now, let us visit your house; my good old Murphy has had the pleasure, and I should like it also."
Rodolph and the Chourineur came down-stairs. At the moment they reached the yard, the shopman, addressing the Chourineur, said to him, respectfully: