."

"Yes; but I confess that faith begins to stagger under the weight of the
mysteries with which it is loaded down without relief."

"Seeing you at this decisive moment in your career giving way to doubts
which our whole conduct pursued to you through many years ought to
refute, I should be almost in despair," replied Jacques Bricheteau, "if
I had none but personal denials and asseverations to offer you. But, as
you will remember, old Pigoult spoke of an aunt of mine, living in this
neighborhood, where you will soon, I hope, find her position a most
honorable one. I had arranged that you should see her in the course of
the day; but now, if you will grant me the time to shave, I will take
you at once, early as it is, to the convent of the Ursulines. There you
shall question Mother Marie-des-Anges, who has the reputation of a saint
throughout this whole department, and I think that at the close of your
interview with her no doubt can remain upon your mind."

While that devil of a man was speaking, his countenance had so perfect a
look of integrity and benevolence, his speech, always calm, elegant,
and self-possessed, so impressed the mind of his hearer, that I felt the
tide of my anger going down and my sense of security rising.

In fact, his answer _is_ irresistible. The convent of the Ursuline
sisters--heavens and earth! that can't be the rendezvous of makers of
false coin; and if the Mother Marie-des-Anges guarantees my father
to me, as it appears she has already done to the notary, I should be
foolish indeed to persist in my doubts.

"Very good," I said to Jacques Bricheteau, "I will go up and get my hat
and walk up and down the bank of the river until you are ready."

"That's right; and be sure you watch the door of the hotel to see that
I do not give you the slip as I did once upon a time on the Quai de
Bethune."

Impossible to be more intelligent than that man; he seems to divine
one's thoughts. I was ashamed of this last doubt of mine, and told him
that, on the whole, I would go and finish a letter while awaiting him.
It was this letter, dear friend, which I must now close if I wish it to
go by to-day's post. I will write you soon of my visit to the convent.

XIV. MARIE-GASTON TO MADAME LA COMTESSE DE L'ESTORADE

Arcis-sur-Aube, May 6, 1839.

Madame,--In any case I should gladly have profited by the request you
were so good as to make that I should write to you during my stay in
this town; but in