--not to you,
Josephine; and, after all, it is only the truth that we have written on
that stone. Poor Raynal! he was my old comrade; he saved me from death,
and not a soldier's death--drowning; and he was a better man than I am,
or ever shall be. Now he is dead, I can say these things. If I had said
them when he was alive, it would have been more to my credit."

They all three went back towards the house; and on the way Rose told
them all that had passed between the baroness and her. When she came to
the actual details of that conversation, to the words, and looks, and
tones, Josephine's uneasiness rose to an overpowering height; she even
admitted that further concealment would be very difficult.

"Better tell her than let her find out," said Rose. "We must tell her
some day."

At last, after a long and agitated discussion, Josephine consented;
but Rose must be the one to tell. "So then, you at least will make
your peace with mamma," argued Josephine, "and let us go in and do
this before our courage fails; besides, it is going to rain, and it has
turned cold. Where have all these clouds come from? An hour ago there
was not one in the sky."

They went, with hesitating steps and guilty looks, to the saloon. Their
mother was not there. Here was a reprieve.

Rose had an idea. She would take her to the chapel, and show her the
monument, and that would please her with poor Camille. "After that,"
said Rose, "I will begin by telling her all the misery you have both
gone through; and, when she pities you, then I will show her it was all
my fault your misery ended in a secret marriage."

The confederates sat there in a chilly state, waiting for the baroness.
At last, as she did not come, Rose got up to go to her. "When the mind
is made up, it is no use being cowardly, and putting off," said she,
firmly. For all that, her cheek had but little color left in it, when
she left her chair with this resolve.

Now as Rose went down the long saloon to carry out their united resolve,
Jacintha looked in; and, after a hasty glance to see who was present,
she waited till Rose came up to her, and then whipped a letter from
under her apron and gave it her.

"For my mistress," said she, with an air of mystery.

"Why not take it to her, then?" inquired Rose.

"I thought you might like to see it first, mademoiselle," said Jacintha,
with quiet meaning.

"Is it from the dear doctor?" asked Josephine.

"La, no, mademoiselle, don't you