without any tearing of the paper.  According to the importance of the revelations, which she thus gleaned from the writers of the letters, the superior took notes more or less extensive.  She was interrupted in this investigation by two gentle taps at the bolted door.  Mother Sainte-Perpetue immediately let down the sliding cylinder of her cabinet, so as to cover the secret arsenal, and went to open the door with a grave and solemn air.  A lay sister came to announce to her that the Princess de Saint-Dizier was waiting for her in the parlor, and that Mdlle.  Florine, accompanied by a young girl, deformed and badly dressed, was waiting at the door of the little corridor.

“Introduce the princess first,” said Mother Sainte Perpetue.  And, with charming forethought, she drew an armchair to the fire.  Mme. de Saint Dizier entered.

Without pretensions to juvenile coquetry, still the princess was tastefully and elegantly dressed.  She wore a black velvet bonnet of the most fashionable make, a large blue cashmere shawl, and a black satin dress, trimmed with sable, to match the fur of her muff.

“To what good fortune am I again to-day indebted for the honor of your visit, my dear daughter?” said the superior, graciously.

“A very important recommendation, my dear mother, though I am in a great hurry.  I am expected at the house of his Eminence, and have, unfortunately, only a few minutes to spare.  I have again to speak of the two orphans who occupied our attention so long yesterday.”

“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.”