which clung to them. When Farrabesche obtained
permission to live there he tiled the room on the lower floor and put
in furniture. Veronique saw, as she entered, two beds, a large walnut
wardrobe, a bread-box, dresser, table, three chairs, and on the dresser
a few brown earthenware dishes and other utensils necessary to life.
Above the fireplace were two guns and two gamebags. A number of little
things evidently made by the father for the child touched Veronique's
heart--the model of a man-of-war, of a sloop, a carved wooden cup, a
wooden box of exquisite workmanship, a coffer inlaid in diaper pattern,
a crucifix, and a splendid rosary. The chaplet was made of plum-stones,
on each of which was carved a head of marvellous delicacy,--of Jesus
Christ, of the apostles, the Madonna, Saint John the Baptist, Saint
Joseph, Saint Anne, the two Magdalens, etc.

"I do that to amuse the little one in the long winter evenings," he
said, as if excusing himself.

The front of the house was covered with jessamine and roses, trained to
the wall and wreathing the windows of the upper floor, where Farrabesche
stored his provisions. He bought little except bread, salt, sugar, and a
few such articles, for he kept chickens, ducks, and two pigs. Neither he
nor the boy drank wine.

"All that I have heard of you and all that I now see," said Madame
Graslin at last, "make me feel an interest in your welfare which will
not, I hope, be a barren one."

"I recognize Monsieur Bonnet's kindness in what you say," cried
Farrabesche, in a tone of feeling.

"You are mistaken; the rector has not yet spoken of you to me;
chance--or God--has done it."

"Yes, madame, God! God alone can do miracles for a miserable man like
me."

"If you have been a miserable man," said Madame Graslin, lowering her
voice that the child might not hear her (an act of womanly delicacy
which touched his heart), "your repentance, your conduct, and the
rector's esteem have now fitted you to become a happier man. I have
given orders to finish the building of the large farmhouse which
Monsieur Graslin intended to establish near the chateau. I shall
make you my farmer, and you will have an opportunity to use all your
faculties, and also to employ your son. The _procureur-general_
in Limoges shall be informed about you, and the humiliating
police-inspection you are now subjected to shall be removed. I promise
you."

At these words Farrabesche fell on his knees, as if struck d