the quarries of Boisville, a lonely spot a mile and a
quarter from the house, and as Prosper had other work to do the old man
sent Silvine with the wheelbarrow. It was manifest to the young woman
that Destiny had taken the matter in its hands; she spoke, she made
an appointment with Sambuc for the following evening, and there was no
tremor in her voice, as if she were pursuing a course marked out for
her from which she could not depart. The next day there were still other
signs which proved that not only sentient beings, but inanimate objects
as well, favored the crime. In the first place Father Fouchard was
called suddenly away to Raucourt, and knowing he could not get back
until after eight o'clock, instructed them not to wait dinner for him.
Then Henriette, whose night off it was, received word from the hospital
late in the afternoon that the nurse whose turn it was to watch was ill
and she would have to take her place; and as Jean never left his
chamber under any circumstances, the only remaining person from whom
interference was to be feared was Prosper. It revolted the chasseur
d'Afrique, the idea of killing a man that way, three against one, but
when his brother arrived, accompanied by his faithful myrmidons, the
disgust he felt for the villainous crew was lost in his detestation of
the Prussians; sure he wasn't going to put himself out to save one
of the dirty hounds, even if they did do him up in a way that was not
according to rule; and he settled matters with his conscience by going
to bed and burying his head under the blankets, that he might hear
nothing that would tempt him to act in accordance with his soldierly
instincts.

It lacked a quarter of seven, and Charlot seemed determined not to go to
sleep. As a general thing his head declined upon the table the moment he
had swallowed his last mouthful of soup.

"Come, my darling, go to sleep," said Silvine, who had taken him to
Henriette's room; "mamma has put you in the nice lady's big bed."

But the child was excited by the novelty of the situation; he kicked and
sprawled upon the bed, bubbling with laughter and animal spirits.

"No, no--stay, little mother--play, little mother."

She was very gentle and patient, caressing him tenderly and repeating:

"Go to sleep, my darling; shut your eyes and go to sleep, to please
mamma."

And finally slumber overtook him, with a happy laugh upon his lips. She
had not taken the trouble to undress him; she cover