o with him?" said he.

"He has need of repose. He shall remain here, and sell this house, which
we require no longer. But restore to liberty that unhappy animal, whom
you were forced to torture. As you say, God may care for its recovery."

"This furnace, and these stills?"

"Leave them here."

"But these powders, essences, and acids?"

"Throw them in the fire, Remy."

"Go away, then, or put on this glass mask."

Then, taking similar precautions for himself, he blew up the fire again,
poured in the powder, which went off in brilliant sparks, some green and
some yellow; and the essences, which, instead of being consumed, mounted
like serpents of fire into the pipe, with a noise like distant thunder.

"Now," said Remy, "if any one now discovers this cave, he will only
think that an alchemist has been here, and though they still burn
sorcerers, they respect alchemists."

"And besides," said the lady, "if they do burn us, provided I have only
finished my task, I should not mind that sort of death more than any
other."

At this moment they heard knocking.

"Here are our horses, madame," said Remy; "go up quickly, and I will
close the trap-door."

Diana obeyed, and found Grandchamp, whom the noise had awakened, at the
door.

The old man was not a little surprised to hear of his mistress's
intended departure, who informed him of it without telling him where she
was going.

"Grandchamp, my friend," said she, "Remy and I are going to accomplish a
pilgrimage on which we have long determined; speak of this journey to
none, and do not mention my name to any one."

"Oh! I promise you, madame," replied the old servant; "but we shall see
you again?"

"Doubtless, Grandchamp; if not in this world, in the next. But, apropos,
Grandchamp, this house is now useless to us."

Diana drew from a drawer a bundle of papers.

"Here are the title-deeds; let or sell this house; but if, in the course
of a month, you do not find a purchaser, abandon it and return to
Meridor."

"But if I find some one, how much am I to ask?"

"What you please, Grandchamp."

"Shall I take the money to Meridor?"

"Keep it for yourself, my good Grandchamp."

"What, madame, such a sum?"

"Yes, I owe it to you for your services; and I have my father's debts to
pay as well as my own. Now, adieu!"

Then Diana went upstairs, cut the picture from the frame, rolled it up,
and placed it in her trunk.

When Remy had tied the two trunks with leath