ery eye and every soul had been so bent on Sergeant La Croix that it
was only now Raynal was observed to be missing. The next minute he came
riding out of the stable-yard, and went full gallop down the road.

"Ah!" cried Rose, with a burst of hope; "he thinks so too; he has hopes.
He is gone somewhere for information. Perhaps to Paris."

Josephine's excitement and alternations of hope and fear were now
alarming. Rose held her hand, and implored her to try and be calm till
they could see Raynal.

Just before dark he came riding fiercely home. Josephine flew down the
stairs. Raynal at sight of her forgot all his caution. He waved his
cocked hat in the air. She fell on her knees and thanked God. He gasped
out,--

"Prisoner--exchanged for two Prussian lieutenants--sent home--they say
he is in France!"

The tears of joy gushed in streams from her.

Some days passed in hope and joy inexpressible; but the good doctor
was uneasy for Josephine. She was always listening with supernatural
keenness and starting from her chair, and every fibre of her lovely
person seemed to be on the quiver.

Nor was Rose without a serious misgiving. Would husband and wife ever
meet? He evidently looked on her as Madame Raynal, and made it a point
of honor to keep away from Beaurepaire.

They had recourse to that ever-soothing influence--her child. Madame
Jouvenel was settled in the village, and Josephine visited her every
day, and came back often with red eyes, but always soothed.

One day Rose and she went to Madame Jouvenel, and, entering the house
without ceremony, found the nurse out, and no one watching the child.

"How careless!" said Rose.

Josephine stopped eagerly to kiss him. But instead of kissing him, she
uttered a loud cry. There was a locket hanging round his neck.

It was a locket containing some of Josephine's hair and Camille's. She
had given it him in the happy days that followed their marriage. She
stood gasping in the middle of the room. Madame Jouvenel came running
in soon after. Josephine, by a wonderful effort over herself, asked her
calmly and cunningly,--

"Where is the gentleman who put this locket round my child's neck? I
want to speak with him."

Madame Jouvenel stammered and looked confused.

"A soldier--an officer?--come, tell me!"

"Woman," cried Rose, "why do you hesitate?"

"What am I to do?" said Madame Jouvenel. "He made me swear never to
mention his coming here. He goes away, or hides wheneve