Rodin, with his eye fixed and haggard, his countenance of a livid hue, biting his nails to the quick in silent rage, did not perceive the half caste, who quietly approached him and laying his hand familiarly on his shoulder, said to him:  “Your name is Rodin?”

“What now?” asked the other, starting, and raising his head abruptly.

“Your name is Rodin?” repeated Faringhea.

“Yes.  What do you want?”

“You live in the Rue du Milieu-des-Ursins, Paris?”

“Yes.  But, once more, what do you want?”

“Nothing now, brother:  hereafter, much!”

And Faringhea, retiring, with slow steps, left Rodin alarmed at what had passed; for this man, who scarcely trembled at anything, had quailed before the dark look and grim visage of the Strangler.

[8] We always remember with emotion the end of a letter written, two or three years ago, by one of these young and valiant missionaries, the son of poor parents in Beauce.  He was writing to his mother from the heart of Japan, and thus concluded his letter:  “Adieu, my dear mother! they say there is much danger where I am now sent to.  Pray for me, and tell all our good neighbors that I think of them very often.”  These few words, addressed from the centre of Asia to poor peasants in a hamlet of France, are only the more touching from their very simplicity—­E.  S.

CHAPTER XXVI.

The departure for Paris.

The most profound silence reigns throughout Cardoville House.  The tempest has lulled by degrees, and nothing is heard from afar but the hoarse murmur of the waves, as they wash heavily the shore.

Dagobert and the orphans have been lodged in warm and comfortable apartments on the first-floor of the chateau.  Djalma, too severely hurt to be carried upstairs, has remained in a room below.  At the moment of the shipwreck, a weeping mother had placed her child in his arms.  He had failed in the attempt to snatch this unfortunate infant from certain death, but his generous devotion had hampered his movements, and when thrown upon the rocks, he was almost dashed to pieces.  Faringhea, who has been able to convince him of his affection, remains to watch over him.

Gabriel, after administering consolation to Djalma, has rescinded to the chamber allotted to him; faithful to the promise he made to Rodin, to be ready to set out in two hours, he has not gone to bed; but, having dried his clothes, he has fallen asleep in a large, high-backed arm-chair, placed in front of a bright coal-fire.  His apartment is situated near those occupied by Dagobert and the two sisters.