y years; and I dare any one to
prove that a note signed Desclavettes ever went to protest. And
so, my dear friends, I beseech you, consent to serve your old
friend, and, when you see your father--"

The old man's tone of voice exasperated even Mme. Favoral herself.

"We never expect to see my husband again," she uttered.

He shrugged his shoulders, and, in a tone of paternal reproach,

"You just give up all such ugly ideas," he said. "You will see him
again, that dear Vincent; for he is much too sharp to allow himself
to be caught. Of course, he'll stay away as long as it may be
necessary; but, as soon as he can return without danger, he will
do so. The Statute of Limitations has not been invented for the
Grand Turk. Why, the Boulevard is crowded with people who have all
had their little difficulty, and who have spent five or ten years
abroad for their health. Does any one think any thing of it? Not
in the least; and no one hesitates to shake hands with them.
Besides, those things are so soon forgotten."

He kept on as if he never intended to stop; and it was not without
trouble that Maxence and Gilberte succeeded in sending him off, very
much dissatisfied to see his request so ill received. It was after
twelve o'clock. Maxence was anxious to return to his own home; but,
at the pressing instances of his mother, he consented to remain,
and threw himself, without undressing, on the bed in his old room.

"What will the morrow bring forth?" he thought.

XXIII

After a few hours of that leaden sleep which follows great
catastrophes, Mme. Favoral and her children were awakened on the
morning of the next day, which was Sunday, by the furious clamors
of an exasperated crowd. Each one, from his own room, understood
that the apartment had just been invaded. Loud blows upon the door
were mingled with the noise of feet, the oaths of men, and the
screams of women. And, above this confused and continuous tumult,
such vociferations as these could be heard:

"I tell you they must be at home!"

"Canailles, swindlers, thieves!"

"We want to go in: we will go in!"

"Let the woman come, then: we want to see her, to speak to her!"

Occasionally there were moments of silence, during which the
plaintive voice of the servant could be heard; but almost at once
the cries and the threats commenced again, louder than ever.
Maxence, being ready first, ran to the parlor, where his mother and
sister joined him directl