He might be the minister of a dauphin or a fool, but he was now only the mysterious Parpon who thrilled them.

All the soul cramped in the small body was showing in his eyes, as on that day when he had sung before the Louis Quinze.
A face suddenly appeared at a little door just opposite him.

No one but Parpon saw it.

It belonged to Madelinette, the daughter of Lajeunesse, who had a voice of merit.

More than once the dwarf had stopped to hear her singing as he passed the smithy.