went on reading, however, he became more excited, and at
last started up with an exclamation of mingled pleasure and surprise.
He was about to quit the apartment, when an orderly came in and
informed him that a young person was without and desired urgently to
speak with him: "Who is it?" said he. "I am particularly engaged just
now." Whilst he was still speaking a female entered the room, and the
orderly, after a moment's hesitation, retired and left them alone.

"Who are you, and what do you want?" inquired the commandant sharply.
"I cannot attend to you now."

But instead of making any reply the intruder flung herself on her knees
before him, sobbing convulsively and evidently in great agitation; then
as she raised her head the baron stepped back, exclaiming, "Is it
possible! Surely it is Marguerite?"

"Yes, it is I," said she, clasping her hands, and looking up to him
with streaming eyes. "I cannot bear it longer. Since I left this
place I have had no peace. How could I, knowing as I did that I had
left one who had risked all for me, to suffer such a dreadful fate? I
could not have been so wicked, but for the hope, stronger than all, of
again seeing one I loved so dearly; but I have been rightly punished.
Alas! I shall never see him more; but even if it were not so, I could
not endure the terrible remorse that my selfishness has caused me. You
who have been so kind and noble-hearted will help me to bear my lot. I
have come to give myself up; you will not--you may not refuse me."

He raised her up and embraced her tenderly, but for a minute or two he
could not speak for emotion. "My dear, dear child," said he at length,
"you have indeed shown yourself the worthy daughter of a most noble
father, and Heaven will reward you for this high-minded and generous
act. Nay, I rejoice to say that it has already found its reward.
Listen to this," and then, as she stood wondering before him, he read
to her the concluding part of Montcalm's letter, which ran thus:

"With regard to a more private matter, I rejoice most heartily that my
efforts have at last been attended with success. If it has not already
reached you, you will shortly receive from Paris an order cancelling
the _lettre de cachet_ under which your prisoners Godefroid and
Gabrielle have been detained. I can sympathise with you in the
pleasure this will give you as regards the latter; as to the supposed
Godefroid of course it matters little beyond the