, and I
think--"

"I think," broke in the Duke, "that you could not love any one who was
not a fit bride for a member of our family."

"But I did not belong to this family yesterday. Be at ease, however, for
she is worthy of a Champdoce. I am engaged to Sabine de Mussidan."

A deadly paleness overspread the Duke's face as he heard this name.

"Never," said he. "Never; I would rather see you dead at my feet."

"And I would gladly suffer ten thousand deaths than give her up."

"Suppose I refuse my consent? Suppose that I forbid----"

"You have no claim to exercise paternal authority over me; this can
only be purchased by years of tender care. Duke de Champdoce, I owe you
nothing. Leave me to myself, as you have hitherto done, and all will be
simplified."

The Duke reflected. Must he give up his son, who had been restored to
him by such a series of almost miraculous chances, or must he see him
married to Diana's daughter? Either alternative appeared to him to be
equally disagreeable.

"I will not yield on the point," said he. "Besides, the Countess would
never give her consent. She hates me as much as I hate her."

M. Lecoq, who had up to this moment looked on in silence, now thought it
time to interpose.

"I think," remarked he blandly, "that I shall have no difficulty in
obtaining the consent of Madame de Mussidan."

The Duke, at these words, threw open his arms.

"Come, my son!" said he. "All shall be as you desire."

That night, Marie, Duchess de Champdoce, experienced happiness for the
first time in the affection and caresses of a son who had been so
long lost to her, and seemed to throw off the heavy burden that had so
heavily pressed her down beneath its own weight.

When Madame de Mussidan heard that Andre was Norbert's son, she declared
that nothing could induce her to give her consent to his marriage with
her daughter; but among Mascarin's papers Lecoq had discovered the
packet containing the compromising correspondence between the Duke de
Champdoce and herself. The detective handed this over to her, and, in
her gratitude, she promised to give up all further opposition to the
match.

Lecoq always denied that this act came under the head of blackmailing.

Andre and Sabine took up their residence after marriage at the Chateau
de Mussidan, which had been magnificently restored and decorated. They
seldom leave it, for they love it for its vicinity to the leafy groves,
in which they first learned