“’The time has come for me to explain to you my projects respecting my son.  In three weeks, at the latest, I shall be in Paris.

“’If my previsions are not deceited, the countess and you will be confined at the same time.  An interval of three or four days will not alter my plan.  This is what I have resolved.

“’My two children will be entrusted to two nurses of Normandy, where my estates are nearly all situated.  One of these women, known to Germain, and to whom I am sending him, will be in our interests.  It is to this person, Valerie, that our son will be confided.  These two women will leave Paris the same day, Germain accompanying her who will have charge of the son of the countess.

“’An accident, devised beforehand, will compel these two women to pass one night on the road.  Germain will arrange so they will have to sleep in the same inn, and in the same chamber!  During the night, our nurse will change the infants in their cradles.

“’I have foreseen everything, as I will explain to you, and every precaution has been taken to prevent our secret from escaping.  Germain has instructions to procure, while in Paris, two sets of baby linen exactly similar.  Assist him with your advice.

“’Your maternal heart, my sweet Valerie, may perhaps bleed at the thought of being deprived of the innocent caresses of your child.  You will console yourself by thinking of the position secured to him by your sacrifice.  What excess of tenderness can serve him as powerfully as this separation?  As to the other, I know your fond heart, you will cherish him.  Will it not be another proof of your love for me?  Besides, he will have nothing to complain of.  Knowing nothing he will have nothing to regret; and all that money can secure in this world he shall have.

“’Do not tell me that this attempt is criminal.  No, my well beloved, no.  The success of our plan depends upon so many unlikely circumstances, so many coincidences, independent of our will, that, without the evident protection of Providence, we cannot succeed.  If, then, success crowns our efforts, it will be because heaven decreed it.

“‘Meanwhile I hope.’”

“Just what I expected,” murmured old Tabaret.

“And the wretched man,” cried Noel, “dares to invoke the aid of Providence!  He would make heaven his accomplice!”

“But,” asked the old fellow, “how did your mother,—­pardon me, I would say, how did Madame Gerdy receive this proposition?”

“She would appear to have rejected it, at first, for here are twenty pages of eloquent persuasion from the count, urging her to agree to it, trying to convince her.  Oh, that woman!”

“Come my child,” said M. Tabaret, softly, “try not to be too unjust.  You seem to direct all your resentment against Madame Gerdy?  Really, in my opinion, the count is far more deserving of your anger than she is.”