e loved better than
herself; the sister to save whose life and honor she had this moment
sacrificed her own, and all a woman lives for.

She turned, with a wild cry of love and pity, to that sister's side to
help her; and when she kneeled down beside her, an iron arm was promptly
thrust out between the beloved one and her.

"This is my care, madame," said Raynal, coldly.

There was no mistaking his manner. The stained one was not to touch his
wife.

She looked at him in piteous amazement at his ingratitude. "It is well,"
said she. "It is just. I deserve this from you."

She said no more, but drooped gently down beside the cradle, and hid her
forehead in the clothes beside the child that had brought all this woe,
and sobbed bitterly.

Then honest Raynal began to be sorry for her, in spite of himself. But
there was no time for this. Josephine stirred; and, at the same moment,
a violent knocking came at the door of the apartment, and the new
servant's voice, crying, "Ladies, for Heaven's sake, what is the matter?
The baroness heard a fall--she is getting up--she will be here. What
shall I tell her is the matter?"

Raynal was going to answer, but Rose, who had started up at the
knocking, put her hand in a moment right before his mouth, and ran to
the door. "There is nothing the matter; tell mamma I am coming down to
her directly." She flew back to Raynal in an excitement little short of
frenzy. "Help me carry her into her own room," cried she imperiously.
Raynal obeyed by instinct; for the fiery girl spoke like a general,
giving the word of command, with the enemy in front. He carried the true
culprit in his arms, and laid her gently on her bed.

"Now put IT out of sight--take this, quick, man! quick!" cried Rose.

Raynal went to the cradle. "Ah! my poor girl," said he, as he lifted it
in his arms, "this is a sorry business; to have to hide your own child
from your own mother!"

"Colonel Raynal," said Rose, "do not insult a poor, despairing girl.
C'est lache."

"I am silent, young woman," said Raynal, sternly. "What is to be done?"

"Take it down the steps, and give it to Jacintha. Stay, here is a
candle; I go to tell mamma you are come; and, Colonel Raynal, I never
injured YOU: if you tell my mother you will stab her to the heart, and
me, and may the curse of cowards light on you!--may"--

"Enough!" said Raynal, sternly. "Do you take me for a babbling girl? I
love your mother better than you do, or this bra