“They continue to be kept separate, according to your wish; and this separation has had such an effect upon them that I have been obliged to send this morning for Dr. Baleinier, from his asylum.  He found much fever joined to great depression, and, singular enough, absolutely the same symptoms in both cases.  I have again questioned these unfortunate creatures, and have been quite confounded and terrified to find them perfect heathens.”

“It was, you see, very urgent to place them in your care.  But to the subject of my visit, my dear mother:  we have just learned the unexpected return of the soldier who brought these girls to France, and was thought to be absent for some days; but he is in Paris, and, notwithstanding his age, a man of extraordinary boldness, enterprise and energy.  Should he discover that the girls are here (which, however, is fortunately almost impossible), in his rage at seeing them removed from his impious influence, he would be capable of anything.  Therefore let me entreat you, my dear mother, to redouble your precautions, that no one may effect an entrance by night.  This quarter of the town is so deserted!”

“Be satisfied, my dear daughter; we are sufficiently guarded.  Our porter and gardeners, all well armed, make a round every night on the side of the Boulevard de l’Hopital.  The walls are high, and furnished with spikes at the more accessible places.  But I thank you, my dear daughter, for having warned me.  We will redouble our precautions.”

“Particularly this night, my dear mother.”

“Why so?”

“Because if this infernal soldier has the audacity to attempt such a thing, it will be this very night.”

“How do you know, my dear daughter?”

“We have information which makes us certain of it,” replied the princess, with a slight embarrassment, which did not escape the notice of the Superior, though she was too crafty and reserved to appear to see it; only she suspected that many things were concealed from her.

“This night, then,” resumed Mother Sainte-Perpetue, “we will be more than ever on our guard.  But as I have the pleasure of seeing you, my dear daughter, I will take the opportunity to say a word or two on the subject of that marriage we mentioned.”

“Yes, my dear mother,” said the princess, hastily, “for it is very important.  The young Baron de Brisville is a man full of ardent devotion in these times of revolutionary impiety; he practises openly, and is able to render us great services.  He is listened to in the Chamber, and does not want for a sort of aggressive and provoking eloquence; I know not any one whose tone is more insolent with regard to his faith, and the plan is a good one, for this cavalier and open manner of speaking of sacred things raises and excites the curiosity of the indifferent.  Circumstances are happily such that he may show the most audacious violence towards our enemies, without the least danger to himself, which, of course, redoubles his ardor as a would-be martyr.  In a word, he is altogether ours, and we, in return, must bring about this marriage.  You know, besides, my dear mother, that he proposes to offer a donation of a hundred thousand francs to St. Mary’s the day he gains possession of the fortune of Mdlle.  Baudricourt.”