rong. I have been here
thirty years. But, since Beaurepaire is sold, I comprehend perfectly
that I must go. It is just. As you say, I am not in my own house. I will
go, gentlemen, I will go. Whither shall I go, my children? The house
where you were born to me is ours no longer. Excuse me, gentlemen--this
is nothing to you. Ah! sir, you have revenged yourself on two weak
women--may Heaven forgive you!"

The notary turned on his heel. The poor baroness, all whose pride the
iron law, with its iron gripe, had crushed into dismay and terror,
appealed to him. "O sir! send me from the house, but not from the soil
where my Henri is laid! is there not in all this domain a corner where
she who was its mistress may lie down and die? Where is the NEW BARON,
that I may ask this favor of him on my knees?"

She turned towards Raynal and seemed to be going towards him with
outstretched arms. But Rose checked her with fervor. "Mamma! do not
lower yourself. Ask nothing of these wretches. Let us lose all, but not
forget ourselves."

The baroness had not her daughter's spirit. Her very person tottered
under this blow. Josephine supported her, and the next moment Aubertin
came out and hastened to her side. Her head fell back; what little
strength she had failed her; she was half lifted, half led, into the
house.

Commandant Raynal was amazed at all this, and asked what the deuce was
the matter.

"Oh!" said the notary, "we are used to these little scenes in our
business."

"But I am not," replied the soldier. "You never told me there was to be
all this fuss."

He then dismissed his friend rather abruptly and strode up and down the
Pleasaunce. He twisted his mustaches, muttered, and "pested," and
was ill at ease. Accustomed to march gayly into a town, and see the
regiment, that was there before, marching gayly out, or vice versa, and
to strike tents twice a quarter at least, he was little prepared for
such a scene as this. True, he did not hear all the baroness's words,
but more than one tone of sharp distress reached him where he stood, and
the action of the whole scene was so expressive, there was little need
of words. He saw the notice given; the dismay it caused, and the old
lady turn imploringly towards him with a speaking gesture, and above all
he saw her carried away, half fainting, her hands clasped, her
reverend face pale. He was not a man of quick sensibilities. He did not
thoroughly take the scene in at first: it grew upo