d? Why, our hut isn't a hut any longer; it is
a charming little house with some one living in it. I am going to knock
and see who it can be. French people are so courteous, I am sure they
won't mind telling me."

Nona knocked and the next moment the door was opened by a young French
woman. For an instant they stared at each other, then kissed in a
bewilderingly friendly fashion.

"Why, Nicolete, I can't believe my own eyes!" Nona protested. "What are
you doing back here in your own little house, only it is so changed that
I would scarcely have recognized it."

Nicolete's dark eyes shone and the vivid color flooded her face.

"I am married," she explained. "You remember Monsieur Renay, whom
Mademoiselle Barbara named 'Monsieur Bebe?' Well," Nicolete laughed
bewitchingly, "he is my husband."

"And is he----" Nona asked and hesitated.

Nicolete shook her head. "He can tell the light from the darkness, and
now and then can see me moving in the shadow. Some day, the doctors say,
his sight may be fully restored. He has seen the best specialists.
Madame Eugenie sent us both to Paris. She it was who made us a home here
in the woods out of the old hut, so that my husband might have the fresh
air and grow strong to aid his recovery."

"Madame Eugenie," it was a pretty title and one that Eugenia would
probably always have in this French country, which had so long known the
old Countess as Madame Castaigne.

When Barbara and Mildred returned from the chateau Nona sincerely hoped
they would bring news of Eugenia's arrival, since she was growing more
than anxious to see her again.

CHAPTER XIX

_The Reunion_

In truth, Barbara and Mildred were having a delightful afternoon at the
Chateau d'Amelie.

When they arrived, solemnly Francois invited them into the old French
drawing room they so well remembered.

But here, instead of the slender, tiny figure of the old Countess
appearing to greet them, a tall, dark young woman came forward, whose
hair was wound about her head like a coronet.

"Eugenia!" Barbara exclaimed, and straightway shed several tears, while
Eugenia and Mildred laughed at her.

Then the three girls went over and sat down on the same Louis XIV sofa
that two of them had once occupied with young Captain Castaigne, on
their first visit to the chateau.

This time Eugenia took the place of honor in the center, while each
hand clasped one of her companions.

"Henri and I arrived just an hour ago,