te," replied Clotilde, "I will try what I can do with my
uncle, and I think I may do more than either or both of you just now."

"But how can I stay here?" pleaded Marguerite.

"I have not forgotten that; you can remain here no longer, and there is
but one thing to be done. Isidore must take you at once and place you
under the care of Greboeuf, at St. Sulpice. Ask me no questions; I
have my reasons, but I cannot tell them. Alas! that it should ever
fall to my lot to bid you, whom I have loved so dearly, to leave my own
father's house!"

For a few minutes the two girls were clasped in each other's arms; but
Clotilde soon regained her composure, and assuming as cheerful a face
as she could, impressed upon her friend the necessity of carrying out
her plan, which was this. She herself was to depart in the coach
sufficiently disguised to pass for Marguerite; the latter, putting on
Clotilde's cloak and hood, was immediately afterwards to leave the
chateau with Isidore and go off to St. Sulpice. Clotilde was to let
them know on the following day, through old Perigord, how matters stood
at Beaujardin, so that they might act accordingly. By this time the
horses had been baited, and all being now arranged, Isidore took down
his cousin and hurried her into the vehicle, which started off at once.

Not a little perplexed and anxious at the turn things had taken,
Clotilde leaned back in the comfortable coach and called to mind the
various incidents of the day. At first her cheek flushed with
indignation at the thought of her mother's conduct towards one whom
hospitality and the commonest feeling of pity should have protected
from such treatment. To think that it was her own mother! Clotilde
covered her face with her hands and gave way to her tears. She was,
however, not one of those who fold their hands and let circumstances
overmaster them. She had by nature both the wit and the courage that
can turn things to the best account; quickly drying her tears,
therefore, she set herself to consider how she might take advantage of
this unexpected visit to Beaujardin. She could not but fear that the
baroness intended to carry off Marguerite to some safe place, where
there would be no means of communicating with Isidore; such things were
not seldom done, and with a strong hand too, when it was found
necessary to cut the gordian knot of a family difficulty. In this
design she would be foiled, at least for the present, and with