said, in a voice full of strange solemnity,--

"I went to the army of the Rhine."

Josephine put down the glass directly, though without removing her hand
from it.

"I see you understand me, and approve. Yes, I saw that your sister would
be dishonored, and I went to the army and saw her seducer."

"You saw HIM. Oh, I hope you did not go and speak to him of--of this?"

"Why, of course I did."

Josephine resolved to know the worst at once. "May I ask," said she,
"what you told him?"

"Why, I told him all I had discovered, and pointed out the course he
must take; he must marry your sister at once. He refused. I challenged
him. But ere we met, I was ordered to lead a forlorn hope against a
bastion. Then, seeing me go to certain death, the noble fellow pitied
me. I mean this is how I understood it all at the time; at any rate, he
promised to marry Rose if he should live."

Josephine put out her hand, and with a horrible smile said, "I thank
you; you have saved the honor of our family;" and with no more ado, she
took the glass in her hand to drink the fatal contents.

But Raynal's reply arrested her hand. He said solemnly, "No, I have
not. Have you no inkling of the terrible truth? Do not fiddle with
that glass: drink it, or leave it alone; for, indeed, I need all your
attention."

He took the glass out of her patient hand, and with a furtive look at
the bedroom-door, drew her away to the other end of the room; "and,"
said he, "I could not tell your mother, for she knows nothing of the
girl's folly; still less Rose, for I see she loves him still, or why is
she so pale? Advise me, now, whilst we are alone. Colonel Dujardin was
COMPARATIVELY indifferent to YOU. Will you undertake the task? A rough
soldier like me is not the person to break the terrible tidings to that
poor girl."

"What tidings? You confuse, you perplex me. Oh! what does this horrible
preparation mean?"

"It means he will never marry your sister; he will never see her more."

Then Raynal walked the room in great agitation, which at once
communicated itself to his hearer. But the loving heart is ingenious in
avoiding its dire misgivings.

"I see," said she; "he told you he would never visit Beaurepaire again.
He was right."

Raynal shook his head sorrowfully.

"Ah, Josephine, you are far from the truth. I was to attack the bastion.
It was mined by the enemy, and he knew it. He took advantage of my
back being turned. He led his men out of th