Gabrielle followed him to the beach behind the
house.

"Fear nothing!" said the baron.

That speech would have frightened any one less ignorant than Gabrielle;
but a simple young girl who loves never thinks herself in peril.

"Dear child," said the baron, endeavoring to give a honeyed tone to his
voice, "you and your father are on the verge of an abyss into which
you will fall to-morrow. I cannot see your danger without warning you.
Monseigneur is furious against your father and against you; he suspects
you of having seduced his son, and he would rather see him dead than
see him marry you; so much for his son. As for your father, this is the
decision monseigneur has made about him. Nine years ago your father was
implicated in a criminal affair. The matter related to the secretion of
a child of rank at the time of its birth which he attended. Monseigneur,
knowing that your father was innocent, guaranteed him from prosecution
by the parliament; but now he intends to have him arrested and delivered
up to justice to be tried for the crime. Your father will be broken on
the wheel; though perhaps, in view of some services he has done to his
master, he may obtain the favor of being hanged. I do not know what
course monseigneur has decided on for you; but I do know that you can
save Monseigneur de Nivron from his father's anger, and your father from
the horrible death which awaits him, and also save yourself."

"What must I do?" said Gabrielle.

"Throw yourself at monseigneur's feet, and tell him that his son loves
you against your will, and say that you do not love him. In proof of
this, offer to marry any man whom the duke himself may select as your
husband. He is generous; he will dower you handsomely."

"I can do all except deny my love."

"But if that alone can save your father, yourself, and Monseigneur de
Nivron?"

"Etienne," she replied, "would die of it, and so should I."

"Monseigneur de Nivron will be unhappy at losing you, but he will live
for the honor of his house; you will resign yourself to be the wife of
a baron only, instead of being a duchess, and your father will live out
his days," said the practical man.

At this moment Etienne reached the house. He did not see Gabrielle, and
he uttered a piercing cry.

"He is here!" cried the young girl; "let me go now and comfort him."

"I shall come for your answer to-morrow," said the baron.

"I will consult my father," she replied.

"You will not see