hree days afterwards,
Raynal, by his influence, got the consummated marriage formally allowed
in Paris.

With a delicacy for which one would hardly have given him credit, he
never came near Beaurepaire till all this was settled; but he brought
the document from Paris that made Josephine the widow Dujardin, and
her boy the heir of Beaurepaire; and the moment she was really Madame
Dujardin he avoided her no longer; and he became a comfort to her
instead of a terror.

The dissolution of the marriage was a great tie between them. So much
that, seeing how much she looked up to Raynal, the doctor said one day
to the baroness, "If I know anything of human nature, they will marry
again, provided none of you give her a hint which way her heart is
turning."

They, who have habituated themselves to live for others, can suffer as
well as do great things. Josephine kept alive. A passion such as hers,
in a selfish nature, must have killed her.

Even as it was, she often said, "It is hard to live."

Then they used to talk to her of her boy. Would she leave him--Camille's
boy--without a mother? And these words were never spoken to her quite in
vain.

Her mother forgave her entirely, and loved her as before. Who could be
angry with her long? The air was no longer heavy with lies. Wretched as
she was, she breathed lighter. Joy and hope were gone. Sorrowful peace
was coming. When the heart comes to this, nothing but Time can cure; but
what will not Time do? What wounds have I seen him heal! His cures are
incredible.

The little party sat one day, peaceful, but silent and sad, in the
Pleasaunce, under the great oak.

Two soldiers came to the gate. They walked feebly, for one was lame, and
leaned upon the other, who was pale and weak, and leaned upon a stick.

"Soldiers," said Raynal, "and invalided."

"Give them food and wine," said Josephine.

Rose went towards them; but she had scarcely taken three steps ere she
cried out,--

"It is Dard! it is poor Dard! Come in, Dard, come in."

Dard limped towards them, leaning upon Sergeant La Croix. A bit of
Dard's heel had been shot away, and of La Croix's head.

Rose ran to the kitchen.

"Jacintha, bring out a table into the Pleasaunce, and something for two
guests to eat."

The soldiers came slowly to the Pleasaunce, and were welcomed, and
invited to sit down, and received with respect; for France even in that
day honored the humblest of her brave.

Soon Jacintha came ou