n to whom I refer is pretty; she is young, and wishes to live
at Montegnac. If you will marry her you will help to soften my last
hours. I will not dwell upon her virtues now; I only say her nature is
a rare one; in the matter of grace and youth and beauty, one look will
suffice; you are now about to see her at the hermitage. As we return
home you must give me a serious yes or no."

Hearing this confidence, Gerard unconsciously quickened his oars, which
made Madame Graslin smile. Denise, who was living alone, away from all
eyes, at the hermitage, recognized Madame Graslin and immediately opened
the door. Veronique and Gerard entered. The poor girl could not help a
blush as she met the eyes of the young man, who was greatly surprised at
her beauty.

"I hope Madame Farrabesche has not let you want for anything?" said
Veronique.

"Oh no! madame, see!" and she pointed to her breakfast.

"This is Monsieur Gerard, of whom I spoke to you," went on Veronique.
"He is to be my son's guardian, and after my death you shall live
together at the chateau until his majority."

"Oh! madame, do not talk in that way!"

"My dear child, look at me!" replied Veronique, addressing Denise, in
whose eyes the tears rose instantly. "She has just arrived from New
York," she added, by way of introduction to Gerard.

The engineer put several questions about the new world to the young
woman, while Veronique, leaving them alone, went to look at the third
and more distant lake of the Gabou. It was six o'clock as Veronique and
Gerard returned in the boat toward the chalet.

"Well?" she said, looking at him.

"You have my promise."

"Though you are, I know, without prejudices," she went on, "I must not
leave you ignorant of the reason why that poor girl, brought back here
by homesickness, left the place originally."

"A false step?"

"Oh, no!" said Veronique. "Should I offer her to you if that were so?
She is the sister of a workman who died on the scaffold--"

"Ah! Tascheron," he said, "the murderer of old Pingret."

"Yes, she is the sister of a murderer," said Madame Graslin, in a bitter
tone; "you are at liberty to take back your promise and--"

She did not finish, and Gerard was obliged to carry her to the bench
before the chalet, where she remained unconscious for some little time.
When she opened her eyes Gerard was on his knees before her and he said
instantly:--

"I will marry Denise."

Madame Graslin took his head in both h