ame a very
different man as soon as he reached his sister's house. As to the Widow
Bertolle, she was evidently a woman of superior intellect and education.

How had they both been reduced to this more than modest condition? By
reverses of fortune. That accounts for everything, but explains nothing.

Such were Henrietta's thoughts, when the old lady roused her from her
meditations.

"You saw, my dear child," she began saying, "that my brother desires us
to be ready to set out on a long journey as soon as he comes home."

"Yes, madam; and I am quite astonished."

"I understand; but, although I know no more than you do of my brother's
intentions, I know that he does nothing without a purpose. We ought,
therefore, in prudence, comply with his wishes."

They agreed, therefore, at once on their arrangements; and the next
day Mrs. Bertolle went out to purchase whatever might be
necessary,--ready-made dresses for Henrietta, shoes, and linen. Towards
five o'clock in the afternoon, all the preparations of the old lady and
the young girl had been made; and all their things were carefully stowed
away in three large trunks. According to Papa Ravinet's despatch, they
had only about two hours more to wait, three hours at the worst. Still
they were out of their reckoning. It was half-past eight before the good
man arrived, evidently broken down by the long and rapid journey which
he had just made.

"At last!" exclaimed Mrs. Bertolle. "We hardly expected you any longer
to-night."

But he interrupted her, saying,--

"Oh, my dear sister! don't you think I suffered when I thought of your
impatience? But it was absolutely necessary I should show myself in
Water Street."

"You have seen Mrs. Chevassat?"

"I come from her just now. She is quite at her ease. I am sure she has
not the slightest doubt that Miss Ville-Handry has killed herself; and
she goes religiously every morning to the Morgue."

Henrietta shuddered.

"And M. de Brevan?" she asked.

Papa Ravinet looked troubled.

"Ah, I don't feel so safe there," he replied. "The man I had left in
charge of him has foolishly lost sight of him."

Then noticing the trunks, he said,--

"But I am talking, and time flies. You are ready, I see. Let us go. I
have a carriage at the door. We can talk on the way."

When he noticed some reluctance in Henrietta's face, he added with a
kindly smile,--

"You need not fear anything, Miss Henrietta; we are not going away from
M. Cham