“What is that you say, my lad?” cried Dagobert, hastily, “the Marshal!”

“To be sure; since 1830, General Simon’s friends have secured him the title and rank which the emperor gave him at the battle of Ligny.”

“Indeed!” cried Dagobert, with emotion, “but that ought not to surprise me; for, after all, it is just; and when the emperor said a thing, the least they can do is to let it abide.  But it goes all the same to my heart; it makes me jump again.”

Addressing the sisters, he said:  “Do you hear that, my children?  You arrive in Paris the daughters of a Duke and Marshal of France.  One would hardly think it, indeed, to see you in this room, my poor little duchesses!  But patience; all will go well.  Ah, father Simon must have been very glad to hear that his son was restored to his rank! eh, my lad?”

“He told us he would renounce all kinds of ranks and titles to see his son again; for it was during the general’s absence that his friends obtained this act of justice.  But they expect Marshal Simon every moment, for the last letter from India announced his departure.”

At these words Rose and Blanche looked at each other; and their eyes filled with tears.

“Heaven be praised!  These children rely on his return; but why shall we not find M. Hardy and father Simon at the factory to-morrow?”

“Ten days ago, they went to examine and study an English mill established in the south; but we expect them back every day.”

“The deuce! that’s vexing; I relied on seeing the general’s father, to talk over some important matters with him.  At any rate, they know where to write to him.  So to-morrow you will let him know, my lad, that his granddaughters are arrived.  In the mean time, children,” added the soldier, to Rose and Blanche, “my good wife will give you her bed and you must put up with the chances of war.  Poor things! they will not be worse off here than they were on the journey.”

“You know we shall always be well off with you and madame,” said Rose.

“Besides, we only think of the pleasure of being at length in Paris, since here we are to find our father,” added Blanche.

“That hope gives you patience, I know,” said Dagobert, “but no matter!  After all you have heard about it, you ought to be finely surprised, my children.  As yet, you have not found it the golden city of your dreams, by any means.  But, patience, patience; you’ll find Paris not so bad as it looks.”

“Besides,” said Agricola, “I am sure the arrival of Marshal Simon in Paris will change it for you into a golden city.”

“You are right, Agricola,” said Rose, with a smile, “you have, indeed, guessed us.”

“What! do you know my name?”

“Certainly, Agricola, we often talked about you with Dagobert; and latterly, too, with Gabriel,” added Blanche.

“Gabriel!” cried Agricola and his mother, at the same time.