disaster about him, he had done
nothing to shake off this mental paralysis. Ordinarily very active,
he now sat all day long without moving. He seemed to enjoy a condition
which prevented his feeling the immensity of his misfortune. Claire's
voice sounded in his ear like the resurrection trumpet. The frightful
darkness was dispelled; he saw a glimmering in the horizon; he recovered
the energy of his youth.

"Let us go," he said.

Suddenly the radiance in his face changed to sadness, mixed with anger.

"But where," he asked. "At what door shall we knock with any hope of
success? In the olden times, I would have sought the king. But to-day!
Even the emperor himself cannot interfere with the law. He will tell me
to await the decision of the tribunals, that he can do nothing. Wait!
And Albert is counting the minutes in mortal agony! We shall certainly
have justice; but to obtain it promptly is an art taught in schools that
I have not frequented."

"Let us try, at least, sir," persisted Claire. "Let us seek out judges,
generals, ministers, any one. Only lead me to them. I will speak; and
you shall see if we do not succeed."

The count took Claire's little hands between his own, and held them a
moment pressing them with paternal tenderness.

"Brave girl!" he cried, "you are a noble, courageous woman, Claire! Good
blood never fails. I did not know you. Yes, you shall be my daughter;
and you shall be happy together, Albert and you. But we must not rush
about everywhere, like wild geese. We need some one to tell us whom we
should address,--some guide, lawyer, advocate. Ah!" he cried, "I have
it,--Noel!"

Claire raised her eyes to the count's in surprise.

"He is my son," replied M. de Commarin, evidently embarrassed, "my
other son, Albert's brother. The best and worthiest of men," he added,
repeating quite appropriately a phrase already uttered by M. Daburon.
"He is a advocate; he knows all about the Palais; he will tell us what
to do."

Noel's name, thus thrown into the midst of this conversation so full of
hope, oppressed Claire's heart.

The count perceived her affright.

"Do not feel anxious, dear child," he said. "Noel is good; and I will
tell you more, he loves Albert. Do not shake your head so; Noel told me
himself, on this very spot, that he did not believe Albert guilty. He
declared that he intended doing everything to dispel the fatal mistake,
and that he would be his advocate."

These assertions did no