d stood facing her. Though she did not look up she felt his
gaze upon her and became uneasy, and pressed her clasped hands nervously
together.

"I came to get your address from Jacques," she said. "I thought you were
at Rouen." She paused and caught her breath. "I am going away
to-morrow."

As he listened and watched her, he found himself noticing how like a
little child she seemed.

"Sit down," he said, speaking with effort. "You are not well."

"I have scarcely slept," she answered. "I have been thinking all
night--and all day--." Her bosom heaved. The tears sprang to her eyes.
She covered her face with her hands.

Raoul paled, and trembled from head to foot. He clenched his teeth. His
hand that rested on the edge of the mantel-shelf grasped it as if it
would have crushed it.

"Why did you go away?" she said, with plaintive vehemence. "Why did you
not come to me?"

Then, as if her strength failed her, she sat down.

He knelt beside her. "You have been too kind to me--Elise," he said
unsteadily. "I went away from you because I feared lest I should lose
command of myself; lest I should forget that I was--what I am."

At the sound of his voice pronouncing her name a strange, sudden
happiness shone in her eyes. She looked at him. He read the truth, but
could only believe in his happiness when, the next moment, she was
clasped in his arms.

* * * * *

It was eleven o'clock when Madame Martin knocked at the door.

"I thought you would like to know, Monsieur," she said, "that the rain
has stopped, that it grows late, and that Mademoiselle's cloak is quite
dry."

X.

I subjoin the following extract for the information of those who may be
sufficiently interested:--

"LA LANTERNE (_Journal Conservateur de Rocheville, Jeudi,
5 Fevrier_).--Mariage--M. Berhault, Raoul Joseph Victor, 30 ans, et
Mlle. Lanfrey, Elise Marie, 25 ans."

OLD CHINA.

My china makes my old room bright--
On table, shelf and chiffonnier,
Sevres, Oriental, blue and white,
Leeds, Worcester, Derby--all are here.

The Stafford figures, quaint and grim,
The Chelsea shepherdesses, each
Has its own tale--in twilight dim
My heart can hear their old-world speech.

That vase came with a soldier's "loot,"
From Eastern cities over seas,
That dish held golden globes of fruit,
When oranges were rarities.

That tea-cup touc