cried Jacintha in utter amazement.

Then Josephine drooped her head on this faithful creature's shoulder,
and told her with many sobs the story I have told you. She told it very
briefly, for it was to a woman who, though little educated, was full of
feeling and shrewdness, and needed but the bare facts: she could add the
rest from her own heart and experience: could tell the storm of feelings
through which these two unhappy lovers must have passed. Her frequent
sighs of pity and sympathy drew Josephine on to pour out all her griefs.
When the tale was ended she gave a sigh of relief.

"It might have been worse: I thought it was worse the more fool I. I
deserve to have my head cut off." This was Jacintha's only comment at
that time.

It was Josephine's turn to be amazed. "It could have been worse?" said
she. "How? tell me," added she bitterly. "It would be a consolation to
me, could I see that."

Jacintha colored and evaded this question, and begged her to go on, to
keep nothing back from her. Josephine assured her she had revealed all.
Jacintha looked at her a moment in silence.

"It is then as I half suspected. You do not know all that is before you.
You do not see why I am afraid of that old man."

"No, not of him in particular."

"Nor why I want to keep Mademoiselle Rose from prattling to him?"

"No. I assure you Rose is to be trusted; she is wise--wiser than I am."

"You are neither of you wise. You neither of you know anything. My poor
young mistress, you are but a child still. You have a deep water to wade
through," said Jacintha, so solemnly that Josephine trembled. "A deep
water, and do not see it even. You have told me what is past, now I must
tell you what is coming. Heaven help me! But is it possible you have no
misgiving? Tell the truth, now."

"Alas! I am full of them; at your words, at your manner, they fly around
me in crowds."

"Have you no ONE?"

"No."

"Then turn your head from me a bit, my sweet young lady; I am an honest
woman, though I am not so innocent as you, and I am forced against my
will to speak my mind plainer than I am used to."

Then followed a conversation, to detail which might anticipate our
story; suffice it to say, that Rose, coming into the room rather
suddenly, found her sister weeping on Jacintha's bosom, and Jacintha
crying and sobbing over her.

She stood and stared in utter amazement.

Dr. Aubertin, on his arrival, was agreeably surprised at Madame Raynal's