Remembering that Madame Pipelet was aware of Madame d'Harville's having, at her first coming to the house, inquired for the commandant, and fearing her indiscreet mention of the circumstance, Rodolph resumed, after a short pause:
"I will venture to tell you this lady's name, upon one condition—"
"Pray go on, sir."
"That you never mention it again to any one,—mind, I say to any person whatever."
"I solemnly promise you never to let it pass my lips; but may I not hope to be permitted to thank this friend of the unfortunate?"
"I will let Madame d'Harville know your wish; but I scarcely think she will consent to it."
"Then this generous lady is called—"
"The Marquise d'Harville."
"Never will that name be forgotten by me! Henceforward it will be to me as that of my patron saint,—the object of my grateful worship! Oh, when I remember that, thanks to her, my wife, children,—all, are saved!—saved—no, no, not all,—my little Adèle has gone from us! We shall see her sweet face no more; but still, I know we must have parted with her sooner or later; the dear child's doom was long since decreed!"
Here the poor lapidary wiped away the tears which filled his eyes at the recollection of his lost darling.