"Louison? Who is that?"
"A young girl who has taken care of her. She earns her living through singing, and is a charming girl. Her brother is named Fanfaro. Ah! it is a curious story, full of misfortune and crime."
Pierre was silent for a moment, and then asked:
"Who is this Fanfaro whom you just spoke about?"
Caillette did not answer immediately. Fanfaro was to her the incarnation of all that was good and noble in the world, but of course she could not tell the old man this.
"Fanfaro is a foundling," she finally said; "of course he is a man now, and just as energetic and brave as any one."
"Fanfaro, Fanfaro," repeated the old man, pensively; "where have I heard the name before?"
The maniac now raised her eyes, and, seeing Pierre, she politely said:
"Excuse the plain service, sir; it is very little, but comes from our hearts."
Pierre Labarre uttered a cry of astonishment.