f the
sick-room, for Lizette threw all upon me, and would do nothing without
my guidance and advice.

By great exertions, and by working all night through, I reduced the
affairs of the family to a condition of order; and when Monsieur le
Monnier's clerk appeared in the morning, I had already compiled the
inventory and drawn up the "acte de deces," as it is called, for the
authorities.

By searching amongst papers I also found the address of the widow's
father, who lived in the village of "Linange," and to him I wrote a few
lines, acquainting him with what had occurred, and asking his counsel
with regard to the family. Though Lizette had accompanied them from
their native village to Paris, she was greatly indisposed to afford any
information as to their circumstances or condition in life, and seemed
only eager to complete all the formalities of the law and quit
the capital. I certainly did not impose any unfair burden upon her
incommunicative disposition. I asked a few questions,--none that were
not in a measure indispensable.

I suppose my reserve in this wise impressed her favorably, for she grew
gradually more and more open, dropping hints of sad circumstances and
calamities, in a way that seemed half to invite inquiry on my part. I
was resolved, however, not to make any advances, and left her entirely
to her own choice as to what revelations she might make me. I have no
doubt that had my object been to gratify my curiosity, I could not have
hit upon any surer means of success.

We laid the remains of poor Bernois in a little graveyard outside the
Porte St. Denis; Lizette and myself the only mourners that followed the
bier! As I slowly ascended the stairs towards my room, I said,--

"Come to me this evening, Lizette, and say if I can be of any further
service to you, since I mean to leave Paris to-morrow."

"To leave Paris!" cried she; "Grand Dieu!--why, and for where?"

"For Switzerland," replied I. "My friends there have not answered my
letters for some time back, and I have determined to set off and see
them."

"But why not write again? Think of what a journey it is!"

"I have written till I have lost all hope. I must satisfy myself by
going in person."

"But you will not leave us helpless, friendless, as we are!" cried she.

Never till that moment had it occurred to me that my assistance could
avail to any one, or that there existed one in the world humble
enough to be benefited by my guidance. The a