uch letters
often, and you shall be welcome."

Tapin returned to the hotel, but waited for the morning to deliver the
letter.

At six o'clock, hearing Gaston moving, he entered, and gave him the
note.

This was what it contained:

"MY FRIEND--I think of your advice, and that perhaps
you were right at last, I fear. A carriage has just
arrived--Madame Desroches orders departure--I tried to
resist--they shut me up in my room; fortunately, a
peasant passed by to water his horse; I have given him
two louis, and he promised to take you this note. I
hear the last preparations--in two hours we leave for
Paris.

"On my arrival, I will send you my address, if I have
to jump out of the window and bring it.

"Be assured, the woman who loves you will remain worthy
of herself and you."

"Ah, Helene!" cried Gaston; "I was not deceived. Eight o'clock, but she
must have arrived. Why was not this letter brought to me at once?"

"You were asleep, monsieur. I waited your awaking."

There was no reply to be made. Gaston thought he would go and watch at
the barrier, as Helene might not have arrived. He dressed quickly, and
set out, after saying to Tapin:

"If Captain La Jonquiere comes here, say I shall be back at nine."

* * * * *

While Gaston waits uselessly for Helene, let us look back.

We saw the regent receive Madame Desroches' letter and send a reply.
Indeed, it was necessary to remove Helene from the attempts of this M.
de Livry.

But who could he be? Dubois alone could tell. So when Dubois appeared--

"Dubois," said the regent, "who is M. de Livry, of Nantes?"

"Livry--Livry," said he. "Stay!"

"Yes, Livry."

"Who knows such a name? Send for M. d'Hozier."

"Idiot!"

"But, monseigneur, I do not study genealogies. I am an unworthy
plebeian."

"A truce to this folly."

"Diable! it seems monseigneur is in earnest about these Livrys. Are you
going to give the order to one of them? because, in that case, I will
try and find a noble origin."

"Go to the devil, and send me Noce."

Dubois smiled, and went out.

Noce quickly appeared. He was a man about forty, distinguished-looking,
tall, handsome, cold and witty, one of the regent's most faithful and
favorite friends.

"Monseigneur sent for me."

"Ah, Noce, good-day."

"Can I serve your royal highness in anything?"

"Yes; lend me your house in the Faubourg St