y, knowing what a
treasure he had in his faithful, hard-working little servant; but what
was the use? he knew she would never leave him, that she would still be
there when Charlot should be grown and go in turn to serve his country
as a soldier. And touching his glass to Henriette's, Jean's, and the
doctor's, he exclaimed:

"Here's to the health of you all! May you all prosper and be no worse
off than I am!"

Henriette would not let Jean go away without accompanying him as far
as Sedan. He was in citizen's dress, wearing a frock coat and derby hat
that the doctor had loaned him. The day was piercingly cold; the sun's
rays were reflected from a crust of glittering snow. Their intention had
been to pass through the city without stopping, but when Jean
learned that his old colonel was still at the Delaherches' he felt an
irresistible desire to go and pay his respects to him, and at the same
time thank the manufacturer for his many kindnesses. His visit was
destined to bring him an additional, a final sorrow, in that city of
mournful memories. On reaching the structure in the Rue Maqua they found
the household in a condition of the greatest distress and disorder,
Gilberte wringing her hands, Madame Delaherche weeping great silent
tears, while her son, who had come in from the factory, where work was
gradually being resumed, uttered exclamations of surprise. The colonel
had just been discovered, stone dead, lying exactly as he had fallen, in
a heap on the floor of his chamber. The physician, who was summoned
with all haste, could assign no cause for the sudden death; there was no
indication of paralysis or heart trouble. The colonel had been stricken
down, and no one could tell from what quarter the blow came; but the
following morning, when the room was thrown open, a piece of an old
newspaper was found, lying on the carpet, that had been wrapped around a
book and contained the account of the surrender of Metz.

"My, dear," said Gilberte to Henriette, "as Captain de Gartlauben was
coming downstairs just now he removed his hat as he passed the door
of the room where my uncle's body is lying. Edmond saw it; he's an
extremely well-bred man, don't you think so?"

In all their intimacy Jean had never yet kissed Henriette. Before
resuming his seat in the gig with the doctor he endeavored to thank
her for all her devoted kindness, for having nursed and loved him as a
brother, but somehow the words would not come at his command