ntlest passion that ever refined the soul of man.
He had found abundant opportunity for self-denial and sacrifice in
the career he had chosen, but I doubted if he had found either
peace or entire resignation. During his interview with General
Murray, and especially during his familiar talk with me, I had
caught a dozen reflections of his old bearing and manner, and I
could not believe he had laid aside all human longings and emotions,
however he might refuse to recognise them, when he doffed the
outward habit of his class for the soutane and shovel hat of the
Jesuit. It were childish to think so.

Thus occupied I sate heedless of the hours that went by, until
chilled by the change of the day to evening. As I moved slowly
towards my quarters, the only result of the hours of solitary
thought that remained by me, was that Margaret was unmarried, and
that she had come out to meet with me and for this alone.

That same evening I paid my respects to the Superior, la mere do
la Nativite, a well-bred woman, who should have graced the world
rather than a convent, and to her I proffered my request that I
might be allowed to wait upon Mme. de St. Just.

"Most certainly, monsieur, if it be her desire. She is a guest to
whom we owe much. If you will permit, I will send and inquire."

In a few moments the sister sent returned with word that Mme. de
St. Just would see the Chevalier de Maxwell at eleven the next
morning.

"Very well, monsieur, you may then meet her here in the parlour,"
added the Superior, pleasantly, and I bowed my thanks and withdrew.

I spent the night in great unrest, inventing imaginary difficulties
when I overthrew those which really existed, picturing the expected
interview in a thousand forms, framing and reframing every appeal
I should make, and so wore out the night in a fever of consuming
anticipation.

I was thankful I had been captured while on staff duty; for I had
ever made it a practice to dress myself with the most scrupulous
attention when going into action, so that death himself might not
find me unprepared--and, thanks to this, I was now enabled to make
a fitting appearance.

The feeling that I was outwardly prepared went far to reassure me,
and when the time came for my meeting I had banished my uneasy
apprehensions of the night, and recovered my habitual confidence.
My sole anxiety was, lest I should fail in conveying an adequate
impression of my appreciation of her sacrifice and undert