“But how about the child?” interrupted Leon.

“I am coming to that.  Just as we are going to start, you must lose a stick or a coat.  I’ll offer to go back for it, and meet you at the side door; there is a staircase leading to the nursery close to it, down which I shall come with the baby after I have sent the housemaid who is guarding it to look for your stick.  We shall be off and the baby on board before it is missed, for the girl is sure to stay gossiping with the other servants when we are off.”

“Well, I hope you’ll succeed, but I confess I think this is the most difficult part of the affair.  However, there is no time to lose; you had better order the dogcart at once, while I go and say good-bye to mother and the boys.  We must be off in twenty minutes,” replied Leon.

Half an hour later the brothers were seated in the dogcart, while the old baroness, with a shawl thrown round her head, stood on the steps under the portico to catch the last glimpse of her handsome Leon, with her two younger boys by her side, and Pere Yvon and some of the servants in the background.  The groom had just let go of the horse’s bridle when Leon exclaimed—­

“Wait a minute!  I have forgotten my Malacca cane.  I lent it to you the other day, Arnaut.  I must have it.  Where shall I find it?”

“So you did.  Here, one of you boys, run into my—­but no, you’ll wake Mathilde, I’ll go myself.  Here, Leon, take the reins, and drive round to the side door; I’ll meet you there,” said the baron, descending from the dogcart, and running into the house.

(To be continued.)

FASHIONABLE EMBROIDERY.

The fancy embroidery of the present day is of such varied character and make that all would-be workers will find among the diversities of stitch and material some description that suits their particular need and ingenuity.

A few years ago one embroidery alone claimed attention.  This was the celebrated crewel work, of which there is no fault to be found in the execution and design of its higher grades, but which, like all fancy work that becomes the rage and is cheapened and multiplied without any regard to reason, degenerated to the most impossible designs and the worst execution attainable.  Thus crewel work passed away, and though the best kinds are still to be met with, it is really superseded in modern drawing-rooms by embroideries all originating in the present desire after Oriental colouring and design, but of kinds distinctly characteristic and individual.