"I will not conceal from you," said she, "that your demeanour, your language, all surprise me in a remarkable degree. How could you, with an education which appears polished,—how could you—"
"Fall so low, you would say, madame?" said Goualeuse, with bitterness. "Alas! It is but a very short time that I have received this education. I owe this benefit to a generous protector, who, like you, madame, without knowing me, without even having the favourable recommendation which you have received in my favour, took pity upon me—"
"And who is this protector?"
"I do not know, madame."
"You do not know?"
"He only makes himself known, they tell me, by his inexhaustible goodness. Thanks be to Heaven, he found me in his path!"
"And when did you first meet?"
"One night,—in the Cité, madame," said Goualeuse, lowering her eyes, "a man was going to beat me; this unknown benefactor defended me courageously; this was my first meeting with him."
"Then he was one of the people?"
"The first time I saw him he had the dress and language; but afterwards—"