“What do you say"’ asked the princess.

“He is gone—­last night,” said Father d’Aigrigny.

“Who?” said Rodin.

“Marshal Simon,” replied the abbe.

“At last!” said Rodin, unable to hide his joy.

“It was no doubt his interview with General d’Havrincourt which filled up the measure,” cried the princess, “for I know he had a long conversation with the general, who like so many others, believed the reports in circulation.  All means are good against the impious!” added the princess, by way of moral.

“Have you any details?” asked Rodin.

“I have just left Robert,” said Father d’Aigrigny.  “His age and description agree with the marshal’s, and the latter travels with his papers.  Only one thing has greatly surprised your emissary.”

“What is that?” said Rodin.

“Until now, he had always to contend with the hesitations of the marshal, and had moreover noticed his gloomy and desponding air.  Yesterday, on the contrary, he found him so bright with happiness, that he could not help asking him the cause of the alteration.”

“Well?” said Rodin and the princess together, both extremely surprised.

“The marshal answered:  ’I am indeed the happiest man in the world; for I am going joyfully to accomplish a sacred duty!”

The three actors in this scene looked at each other in silence.

“And what can have produced this sudden change in the mind of the marshal?” said the princess, with a pensive air.  “We rather reckon on sorrow and every kind of irritation to urge him to engage in this adventurous enterprise.”

“I cannot make it out,” said Rodin, reflecting; “but no matter—­he is gone.  We must not lose a moment, to commence operations on his daughters.  Has he taken that infernal soldier with him?”

“No,” said Father d’Aigrigny; “unfortunately, he has not done so.  Warned by the past, he will redouble his precautions; and a man, whom we might have used against him at a pinch, has just been taken with the contagion.”

“Who is that?” asked the princess.

“Morok.  I could count upon him anywhere and for anything.  He is lost to us; for, should he recover from the cholera, I fear he will fall a victim to a horrible and incurable disease.”

“How so?”

“A few days ago, he was bitten by one of the mastiffs of his menagerie, and, the next day, the dog showed symptoms of hydrophobia.”

“Ah! it is dreadful,” cried the princess; “and where is this unfortunate man?”

“He has been taken to one of the temporary hospitals established in Paris, for at present he has only been attacked with cholera.  It is doubly unfortunate, I repeat, for he was a devoted, determined fellow, ready for anything.  Now this soldier, who has the care of the orphans, will be very difficult to get at, and yet only through him can we hope to reach Marshal Simon’s daughters.”