ow which to admire most,--her presence of mind, or Mechinet's
disinterestedness.

"All the more reason," said the young girl, "why we should not add to
the dangers which the good man is going to run for us. I promised him
to tell nobody, and I mean to keep my promise. If you believe me, dear
grandpapa, we had better not speak of it to anybody, not even to my
aunts."

"You might just as well declare at once, little scamp, that you want to
save Jacques quite alone, without anybody's help."

"Ah, if I could do that! Unfortunately, we must take M. Folgat into our
confidence; for we cannot do without his advice."

Thus it was done. The poor aunts, and even the marchioness, had to be
content with Dionysia's not very plausible explanation of her visit.
And a few hours afterwards M. de Chandore, the young girl, and M. Folgat
held a council in the baron's study. The young lawyer was even more
surprised by Dionysia's idea, and her bold proceedings, then her
grandfather; he would never have imagined that she was capable of such a
step, she looked so timid and innocent, like a mere child. He was about
to compliment her; but she interrupted him eagerly, saying,--

"There is nothing to boast of. I ran no risk."

"A very substantial risk, madam, I assure you."

"Pshaw!" exclaimed M. de Chandore.

"To bribe an official," continued M. Folgat, "is a very grave offence.
The Criminal Code has a certain paragraph, No. 179, which does not
trifle, and punishes the man who bribes, as well as the man who is
bribed."

"Well, so much the better!" cried Dionysia. "If poor M. Mechinet has to
go to prison, I'll go with him!"

And, without noticing the dissatisfaction expressed in her grandfather's
features, she added, turning to M. Folgat,--

"After all, sir, you see that your wishes have been fulfilled. We
shall be able to communicate with M. de Boiscoran: he will give us his
instructions."

"Perhaps so, madam."

"How? Perhaps? You said yourself"--

"I told you, madam, it would be useless, perhaps even imprudent, to take
any steps before we know the truth. But will we know it? Do you think
that M. de Boiscoran, who has good reasons for being suspicious of
every thing, will at once tell us all in a letter which must needs pass
through several hands before it can reach us?"

"He will tell us all, sir, without reserve, without fear, and without
danger."

"Oh!"

"I have taken my precautions. You will see."

"Then we have only t