excluded all thought of those relations that exist
between members of the same community; and that his conduct should be
arraigned, argued that his acts possessed a degree of importance he had
never attributed to them.

He heard Fagan, therefore, throughout, without any effort at reply; and,
heaving a faint sigh, withdrew.

I have no means of knowing how Gabriac behaved in this trying emergency.
All that I have heard came from Raper; and poor Joe was neither shrewd
in his observation of character, nor quick to appreciate motives. The
Count decided at once on a return to the Continent: perhaps he thought
there might arise some chance of reconciliation with the father if
Polly, for a time, at least, were withdrawn from his sight; perhaps,
too, some hope there might be of arrangement of his own affairs. Raper
was also to accompany them, in the prospect of finding some clerkship
in an office, or some employment in a mercantile house abroad, where his
knowledge of languages might be available. At all events, his protection
and companionship would be useful to Polly, whenever the Count would be
compelled to absent himself from home; and, lastly, the funds for the
enterprise were all supplied by Joe, who contributed something under
four hundred pounds,--the savings of a whole life of labor!

As for Polly, to the humblest ornament she had ever worn, to the meanest
gift she had received in childhood,--she left all behind her. Her jewels
were worth some thousands,--her wardrobe was even splendid; but she went
forth without a gem, and with barely what sufficed her in dress.

"And what is this?" said the Count, half disdainfully touching with his
foot what seemed to be an oblong basket of colored straw.

"Poor Josephine's baby!" said Polly, with eyes swimming in tears.

"And is he, is she,--whichever it be,--to form one of the party?" asked
he, angrily.

"Can you ask it, Emile? You remember the last words she ever spoke to us
on the morning we left the Killeries."

"That unlucky journey!" muttered he; but fortunately not loud enough for
her to catch the words.

"The little fellow will soon be able to walk, and to mutter some words;
he will be company for me when you are away!" said she, sorrowfully.

"L'Ami Joseph ought to fill up that void," said De Gabriac, laughing. "I
think myself the very paragon of husbands to accede to the arrangement!"

Strange words were these for her to hear,--nor, indeed, could she
penetrate