robbed; you can, and you ought to
forgive; but I am responsible for the thief. When I was attorney-general
I never pardoned.' 'You'll kill your daughter,' said Halpersohn. My
father made no reply and turned away."

"But who helped you in all this?"

"A gentleman, whom we think is employed to do the queen's benefits."

"What is he like?"

"Well, he is of medium height; rather stout, but active; with a kindly,
genial face. It was he who found my father ill of fever in the house
where you knew us and had him brought to that in which we now live. And
just fancy, as soon as my father recovered _I_ was installed there too,
in my very own room, just as if I had never left it. Halpersohn, whom
the gentleman captivated, I am sure I don't know how, then told me all
the sufferings my father had endured. Ah, when I think of it! my father
and my son often without bread to eat, and when with me pretending to be
rich! even the diamonds in the snuff box sold! Oh, Monsieur Godefroid!
those two beings are martyrs. And so, what can I say to my father?
Between him and my son I can take no part; I can only make return to
them in kind by suffering with them, as they once suffered with me."

"And you say you think that gentleman came from the queen?"

"Oh! I am sure you know him, I see it in your face," cried Vanda, now at
the door of the house.

She seized Godefroid by the hand with the vigor of a nervous woman and
dragged him into a salon, the door of which stood open.

"Papa!" she cried, "here is Monsieur Godefroid! and I am certain he
knows our benefactors."

Baron Bourlac, whom Godefroid now saw dressed in a manner suitable for
a man of his rank and position, rose and came forward, holding out his
hand to Godefroid, saying as he did so:--

"I was sure of it."

Godefroid made a gesture denying that he shared in this noble vengeance,
but the former attorney-general gave him no chance to speak.

"Ah! monsieur," he said, continuing, "Providence could not be more
powerful, love more ingenious, motherhood more clear-sighted than your
friends have been for us. I bless the chance that has brought you here
to-day; for Monsieur Joseph has disappeared forever; he has evaded all
the traps I set to discover his true name and residence. Here, read his
last letter. But perhaps you already know it."

Godefroid read as follows:--

Monsieur le Baron Bourlac,--The sums which we have spent for you,
under the orders of a charitable lady,