“And I do count upon you,” exclaimed Daniel,—­“yes, blindly and absolutely; and I am going to give you a striking proof of it.”

For a few moments it looked as if he were trying to find some brief and yet impressive form for his communication; and then he said, speaking very rapidly,—­

“If I leave in despair, it is because I leave Henrietta in the hands of the enemy.  What persecution she will have to endure!  My heart bleeds at the mere thought.  Miss Brandon must be meditating some terrible blow, or she would not have been so anxious to keep me at a distance.”

He sobbed almost, so great was his excitement; but he instantly became master again of his emotion, and continued,—­

“Well, Maxime, I shall ask you to watch over Henrietta.  I intrust her to you as I would intrust her to my brother, if I had one.”

M. de Brevan was about to state some objections; but Daniel cut him short, saying,—­

“I will tell you how and in what manner you can watch over Miss Ville-Handry.  To-morrow evening I shall see her, and tell her the new misfortune which has befallen us.  I shall take leave of her then.  I know she will be terrified; but then, to reassure her, I shall explain to her that I leave her a friend, another myself, ready, like myself, to assist her at her first summons, and ready, like myself, to run any danger in order to succor her.  I shall tell her to appeal to you as if it were to myself; to write to you as she used to write to me; to keep you informed of all they may attempt to do; to consult and to obey you without hesitation.

“As to what you will have to do, Maxime, I cannot tell you that, even in a general way, as I know nothing of Miss Brandon’s plans.  I rely upon your experience to do what is most expedient.  Still there are two alternatives which I can foresee.  It may be that her father’s house becomes impossible for Henrietta, and that she should wish to leave it.  It may also be, that, under certain circumstances, you may think it inexpedient for her to remain there, and that you have to advise her to escape.  In either case, you will take Henrietta to an old lady, a relative of mine, who lives at the Rosiers, a little village in the department of Maine-et-Loire, and whose address I will give you, while I will inform her beforehand of what may happen.”

He paused, trying to remember if there was any thing else, and, recalling nothing, he said,—­

“This, my dear Maxime, is all I expect you to do for me.”

With open brow, a clear eye, and grave face, M. de Brevan replied in a solemn tone of voice, speaking like a man who feels that he deserves such confidence,—­

“Friend Daniel, you may sail without fear.”

But Daniel had not done yet.

Pressing his friend’s hand heartily, he thanked him, and then with a careless air, under which he very imperfectly concealed his real embarrassment, he said,—­