the storm blows over. Will you see her, my Lady?"

"See her! I, who dare see no one! Who is she that sends me such strange
news? Is it truth? Do you know her?" continued she, looking fixedly
at Mere Malheur, as if in hope of reading on her countenance some
contradiction of the matter contained in the letter.

"I think it is all true, my Lady," replied she, with mock humility; "I
am but a poor messenger, however, and speak not myself of things I do
not know, but she who sends me will tell you all."

"Does the Intendant know her?"

"I think he told her to watch over your safety during his absence. She
is old and your friend; will you see her?" replied Mere Malheur, who saw
the point was gained.

"Oh, yes, yes! tell her to come. Beseech her not to fail to come, or
I shall go mad. O woman, you too are old and experienced and ought to
know,--can she help me in this strait, think you?" exclaimed Caroline,
clasping her hands in a gesture of entreaty.

"No one is more able to help you," said the crone; "she can counsel you
what to do, and if need be find means to conceal you from the search
that will be made for you."

"Haste, then, and bid her come to-morrow night! Why not tonight?"
Caroline was all nervous impatience. "I will wait her coming in the
vaulted chamber; I will watch for her as one in the valley of death
watches for the angel of deliverance. Bid her come, and at midnight
to-morrow she shall find the door of the secret chamber open to admit
her."

The eagerness of the ill-fated girl to see La Corriveau outran every
calculation of Mere Malheur. It was in vain and useless for her to speak
further on the subject; Caroline would say no more. Her thoughts ran
violently in the direction suggested by the artful letter. She would
see La Corriveau to-morrow night, and would make no more avowals to Mere
Malheur, she said to herself.

Seeing no more was to be got out of her, the crone bade her a formal
farewell, looking at her curiously as she did so, and wondering in her
mind if she should ever see her again. For the old creature had a shrewd
suspicion that La Corriveau had not told her all her intentions with
respect to this singular girl.

Caroline returned her salute, still holding the letter in her hand. She
sat down to peruse it again, and observed not Mere Malheur's equivocal
glance as she turned her eyes for the last time upon the innocent girl,
doomed to receive the midnight visit from La Corriveau.

"Th