—­I understand, she said, I understand your hesitation, your honour and your scruples.  Farewell, sir....

And she went out, without turning her head, stifling her sobs.

Marcel followed her with his eyes, and ran to the door: 

—­Suzanne, Mademoiselle, to-morrow you shall have an answer.  Another word...

She made no reply and he heard the street-door close.

A tear rolled to the edge of his eyelid.

He rushed to the window to call her back, but a hand laid hold of his and the fair girl stood before him.

—­Well, Monsieur my uncle, well!  And who is that handsome dark girl?

—­Ah, my poor Zulma, do not be jealous of her.

—­I am jealous of everything, and I want to know.

XCVI.

FINIS CORONAT OPUS.

  “No mortal can foresee his fate
  Let none despair.  Comrades, good night.”

  BYRON (Mazeppa).

The following evening, the canal toll-collector on the Malzeville road discerned a black shadow which, despite the icy rain, remained for a long time leaning on the parapet of the turn-bridge, then all at once disappeared.  He called for help and, a few minutes afterwards, they drew out of the water the body of a young girl of remarkable beauty.

A portion of a letter was found upon her which at first aroused a thousand comments.

This is what was written: 

“I have just celebrated the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, and during the Elevation, I prayed God to inspire me with a good idea.  I likewise asked of the Queen of Angels what I could do for this unfortunate one.  The All-pitying God and the Mother chaste and pure hearkened to me.  Let my sister in Jesus Christ whose image will never be effaced from the heart of her spiritual friend, go and knock at the gate of the Convent of Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows, in the parish of St. Marie; there, the cares which her interesting condition demand, will be afforded her.  It will be easy to explain her temporary absence, and, in case of need, to obtain the permission of a parent who wished to place an obstacle in the way of this pious necessity.  Divine Providence will assist in this as it assists all those who have recourse to it.  The ladies of the Seven Sorrows are informed, and they await the new sheep with mothers’ and sisters’ hearts.

“Let it be thus done in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost: 

“Jesus, Mary, Joseph.”

On applying at the Convent of the Seven Sorrows, the good sisters said that in fact they had received a letter, sealed with the episcopal arms, announcing the arrival of a young lady.  They were unable to say more.

Monseigneur, when questioned, summoned the Abbe Marcel who gave the examining magistrate the most satisfactory explanations, acknowledging that he was the author of the letter, and that she was a young girl whose honour he desired to save.