las sent to tell Martial of this, by a prisoner
who was discharged from prison the other day, for I must tell you, my
man had been weak enough to go and see his brother in La Force; so,
encouraged by this visit, that hateful wretch Nicholas sent to tell my
man that he might effect his escape at any minute, and that his brother
was to send money and clothes to disguise himself in, ready for him, to
Father Micou's."

"Ah, your Martial is so kind-hearted, I'm sure he will do it!"

"A fig for such kind-heartedness! I call it downright foolery to help
the very man who tried to take his life. No, no, Martial shall do no
such thing; quite enough if he does not tell of the scheme for breaking
out of prison, without furnishing clothes and money, indeed. Besides,
now you are out of danger, myself, Martial, and the two children are
about to start on our rambles over France in search of work, and, depend
upon it, we never mean to set our feet in Paris again. Martial found it
quite galling enough to be called the son of a man who was guillotined;
how, then, could he endure being taunted with the disgraceful ends of
all his family?"

"Well, but, at least, you will defer your departure till I have been
enabled to see and speak with M. Rodolph; you have returned to virtue,
and I promised you a reward if you would but forsake evil ways, and I
wish to keep my word. You saved me from death, and, not satisfied with
that, have nursed me with the tenderest care during my severe illness."

"Suppose I did; well, it would seem as though I had done the little good
in my power for the sake of gain, were I to allow you to ask your
friends for anything for me! No, no; I say again, I am more than repaid
in seeing you safe and likely to do well."

"My kind Louve, make yourself perfectly easy; it shall not be said that
you were influenced by interested motives, but that I was desirous of
proving my gratitude to you."

"Hark!" said La Louve, hastily rising, "I fancy I hear the sound of a
carriage coming this way; yes--yes, there it is! Did you observe the
lady who was in it?"

"Dear me!" exclaimed Fleur-de-Marie, "I fancy I recognised a young and
beautiful lady I saw at St. Lazare."

"Then she knows you are here, does she?"

"I cannot tell you whether she does or no, but one thing is very
certain, that she is acquainted with the person I have so often
mentioned to you, who, if he pleases, and I hope that he will please,
can realise all those