ded exposure to become a felon!"

"Sir, sir! this is strong language!"

"I am willing to back it with 'life, liberty and sacred honor,' as the
Declaration of Independence has it. Listen: Some sixteen years ago,
before you came to take this pastoral charge, the Hidden House was
occupied by old Victor Le Noir, the father of Eugene, the heir, and of
Gabriel, the present usurper. The old man died, leaving a will to this
effect--the landed estate, including the coal and iron mines, the Hidden
House and all the negroes, stock, furniture and other personal property
upon the premises to his eldest son Eugene, with the proviso that if
Eugene should die without issue, the landed estate, houses, negroes,
etc., should descend to his younger brother Gabriel. To Gabriel he left
his bank stock and blessing."

"An equitable will," observed the minister.

"Yes; but hear! At the time of his father's death Eugene was traveling
in Europe. On receiving the news he immediately returned home, bringing
with him a lovely young creature, a mere child, that he presented to his
astounded neighbors as Madame Eugene Le Noir! I declare to you there was
one simultaneous outcry of shame, that he should have trapped into
matrimony a creature so infantile, for she was scarcely fourteen years
of age!"

"It was indeed highly improper," said the minister.

"So thought all the neighborhood; but when they found out how it
happened, disapproval was changed to commendation. She was the daughter
of a French patriot. Her father and mother had both perished on the
scaffold in the sacred cause of liberty; she was thrown helpless,
friendless and penniless upon the cold charity of the world; Providence
cast her in the way of our sensitive and enthusiastic young traveler; he
pitied her; he loved her, and was casting about in his own mind how he
could help without compromising her, when the news of his father's
illness summoned him home. Then, seeing no better way of protecting her,
after a little hesitation upon account of her tender age, he married her
and brought with him."

"Good deeds, we know, must be rewarded in heaven, since on earth they
are so often punished."

"He did not long enjoy his bride. She was just the most beautiful
creature that ever was seen--with a promise of still more glorious
beauty in riper years. I have seen handsome women and pretty women--but
Madame Eugene Le Noir was the only perfectly beautiful woman I ever saw
in my long life!