, was killed by those who had sworn
his death, and who struck him down, when, in defending his country, he
was doing his duty!"

The Marquis could hardly contain himself, his rage was so great. Cyprien
feared an explosion. He had no objection to the man being killed, but
not until he had been made to speak.

"Let that pass!" said the Marquis, at last. "It is needless to awaken
these memories." Then lowering his voice he added, with an affectation
of pity:

"It was a terrible affair, Pierre, and I understand that an old and
faithful servant must have felt it deeply--the father, mother, and two
children to die at the same time!"

"You are mistaken," answered Labarre. "The father was shot, the mother
perished in the flames, but the two children escaped."

"It is strange that you can persist in this illusion, Pierre. Simon's
two children are dead."

The old man answered.

"No--they are living!"

The Marquis forgot himself:

"Ah! you know, then, where they are?"

"No; but your exclamation proves that you yourself do not believe in
their death."

Fongereues bit his lips.

Cyprien shrugged his shoulders. He felt a little contempt for his master
and doubted. The Society of Jesus would never trust him with a mission
of diplomacy. He thought it was time for him to interfere.

"It seems to me, sir," he said to the Marquis, "that absolute certainty
in this matter is impossible. I have made the most careful search
without the smallest success, though I had no difficulty in finding this
house."

"Ah! it was you, then, who discovered my retreat?" And Labarre shook his
head.

"That is enough!" interposed the Marquis. "Labarre, all this is useless.
Give me your attention. I am about to speak of the honor of the
Fongereues family."

Labarre's pale face was lighted by a smile as he repeated the words:
"The honor of the Fongereues family!"

The Marquis shrugged his shoulders impatiently.

"Cyprien," he said to his intendant, "you can leave us!"

Cyprien was astonished. This was no part of the programme, but he
remembered that he could return, and also that he could listen.

As soon as the Marquis was alone with Labarre, an entire transformation
took place in his manner. He seemed to throw aside a mask. He seized
Labarre's hand, who shrank from the contact.

"Listen to me, Pierre, and for God's sake throw aside this distrust,
which is an insult to me. You were the friend and the confidant of my
father, you knew