e," Harry said, "Jeanne has no time for any thought
of marrying just at present. But there is another thing I want to
tell you about. I have first a confession to make. I have deceived
you."

"Deceived me!" Marie said with a smile. "It can be nothing very
dreadful, Harry. Well, what is it?"

"It is more serious than you think, Marie. Now you know that when
the trouble began I felt it quite out of the question for me to
run away, and leave you all here in Paris unprotected. Such a thing
would have been preposterous."

"You think so, Harry, because you have a good heart; but most people
would have thought of themselves, and would not have run all sorts
of risks for the sake of three girls with no claim upon them."

"Well, Marie, you allow then that a person with a good heart would
naturally do as I did."

"Well, supposing I do, Harry, what then?"

"You must still further allow that a person with a good heart, and
upon whom you had a great claim, would all the more have remained
to protect you."

"What are you driving at, Harry, with your supposition?" she said,
her cheek growing a little paler as a suspicion of the truth flashed
upon her.

"Well, Marie, you mustn't be agitated, and I hope you will not
be angry; but I ask you how, as he has a good heart, and you have
claims upon him, could you expect Victor de Gisons to run away like
a coward and leave you here?"

Marie had risen to her feet and gazed at him with frightened eyes.

"What, is it about him that you deceived me! Is it true that he
did not go away? Has anything happened to him? Oh, Harry, do not
say he is dead!"

"He is not dead, Marie, but he has been very, very ill. He was with
me at La Force on that terrible night, and saw his father brought
out to be murdered. The shock nearly killed him. He has had brain
fever, and has been at death's door. At present he is mending, but
very, very slowly. He knows no one, not even me, but I trust that
your voice and your presence will do wonders for him."

"Where is he, Harry?" Marie said as she stood with clasped hands,
and a face from which every vestige of colour had flown. "Take me
to him at once."

"He is in the house, Marie; that is why I have brought you here.
These good people have nursed and concealed him for five months."

Marie made a movement towards the door.

"Wait, Marie, you cannot go to him till you compose yourself. It
is all-important that you should speak to him, when you see him