on. Suddenly he turned.

"But, Monsieur," he said, "come, I have news! It is a situation
_un peu difficile_; but it can not be concealed, and what can not
be concealed may best be revealed."

"What news?" asked Dunwody. "More bad news?"

"Not in the least, as we of my household regard it. With monsieur,
I am not so certain. It is _quelque chose un peu difficile, mais
oui_. But then--Monsieur remembers that lady, the Countess--?"

"Countess? Whom do you mean?"

"Who but our madame, the Countess St. Auban in her own right? She
who gave me my Jeanne--_at Tallwoods_, Monsieur! Have you not
known? She is, here. She is _chez nous_. Of wealth and
distinction, yes, she has traveled in this country merely for
divertisement--but the Countess St. Auban, yes, she pauses now
with the cooper, Hector Fournier! Does one find such beauty, such
distinction, such gentleness, such kindness, such courteousness
elsewhere than among the nobility?"

"When did she come?" demanded Dunwody quietly.

"But yesterday, upon the boat; without announcement. She is at
this very moment at my house yonder, busy with that baby, Josephine
St. Auban Jeanne Marie Fournier, named for a countess! But do not
turn back! Monsieur himself has not yet seen the baby. Come!"
For one moment Dunwody paused; then, quietly, he accompanied
Hector, making no comment. He limped just slightly. He was
older--yes, and graver.

The mother of Hector met them even before the gate was opened. Her
voice called to the door her daughter Jeanne, who was shaking hands
with Dunwody before he was half way up the walk. The ejaculations
of Jeanne attracted yet another ear farther within the house. A
moment later Dunwody saw pass before the door a figure which he
recognized, a face which called the blood to his own face. An
instant later, forgetting everything, he was at the door, had her
hands in his own.

"It is you!" he exclaimed. "How does it happen? It is impossible!"

Her face had more color than for days. "Yes, it is unexpected,"
she said simply, at last. "Everything is unexpected. But of all
things possible, this it seems to me is best--to come here--to rest
for a time."

"You are passing through to St. Louis?"

"Perhaps," she said. "My plans for the moment are somewhat
unsettled. I stopped off here, as no doubt you know, to serve as
godmother to this baby of Jeanne's! It is an important errand."

"But monsieur has not perfectly exami