bridge, and near an opening in the bushes at the foot of a
hill.

"Go all to the right, monsieur," she said, "and you will come to the
chapel where the Du Plessys are buried."

I gave her the largest coin in my pocket, and she flew back as well as
the spirit of childhood could fly in wooden shoes. All the geese, formed
in a line, waddled to meet her, perhaps bearing a memorial of wrongs
from their husband.

The climb was steep, rounding a darkened ferny shoulder of lush forest,
yet promising more and more a top of sunlight. At the summit was a
carriage road which ascended by some easier plane. Keeping all to the
right as the goose girl directed, I found a chapel like a shrine.

It was locked. Through the latticed door I could see an altar,
whereunder the last Du Plessy who had come to rest there, doubtless lay
with his kin.

I sat down on one of the benches under the trees. The ache within me
went deep. But all that sunny hillcrest seemed brightened by the
marquis. It was cheerful as his smile. "Let us have a glass of wine and
enjoy the sun," he said in the breeze flowing around his chapel. "And
do you hear that little citizen of the tree trunks, Lazarre?"

The perfume of the woods rose invisibly to a cloudless sky. My last
tryst with my friend was an hour in paradise's antechamber.

The light quick stepping of horses and their rattling harness brought
Madame de Ferrier's carriage quickly around the curve fronting the
chapel. Her presence was the one touch which the place lacked, and I
forgot grief, shame, impatience at being found out in my trouble, and
stood at her step with my hat in my hand.

She said--"O Lazarre!"--and Paul beat on Ernestine's knee, echoing--"O
Zar!" and my comfort was absolute as release from pain, because she had
come to visit her old friend the marquis.

I helped her down and stood with her at the latticed door.

"How bright it is here!" said Eagle.

"It is very bright. I came up the hill from a dark place."

"Did the news of his death meet you on the post-road?"

"It met me at the foot of this hill. The goose girl told me."

"Oh, you have been hurt!" she said, looking at me. "Your face is all
seamed. Don't tell me about Mittau to-day. Paul and I are taking
possession of the estates!"

"Napoleon has given them back to you!"

"Yes, he has! I begged the De Chaumonts to let me come alone! By hard
posting we reached Mont-Louis last night. You are the only person in
France to whom