of papers lay beside him, sealed and addressed,
and to these he made a motion with his hand, as if he would speak of
them.

"Tell us of yourself, Herr Robert," said my mother, in a kind voice, as
she sat down beside him. "Do you feel any pain?"

He seemed not to hear her, but muttered indistinctly to himself. Then,
turning short round to me, he said,--

"I have forgotten the number of the house, but you can't mistake it. It
is the only one with a stone balcony over the entrance gate. It was well
enough known once. John Law's house,--the 'Rue Quincampoix.' The room
looks to the back--and the safe--Who is listening to us?"

I reassured him, and he went on:--

"The ingots were forged as if coming from the gold mines of Louisiana.
D'Argenson knew the trick, and the Regent too. They it was who wrecked
him,--they and Tencivi."

His eyes grew heavy, and his voice subsided to a mere murmur after this,
and he seemed to fall off in a drowsy stupor. The whole of that day
and the next he lingered on thus, breathing heavily, and at intervals
seeming to endeavor to rally himself from the oppression of sleep; but
in vain! Exhaustion was complete, and he passed away calmly, and so
quietly that we did not mark the moment when he ceased to breathe.

My mother led me away weeping from the room, and Raper remained to look
after his papers and make the few arrangements for his humble burial.

The same day that we laid him in the earth came a letter from the Count
de Gabriac to say that he would be with us on the morrow. It was the
only letter he had written for several months past, and my mother's joy
was boundless at the prospect of seeing him. Thus did sunshine mingle
with shadow in our life, and tears of happiness mingle with those of
sorrow!

CHAPTER XXV. THE COUNT DE GABRIAC

I had often heard that the day which should see the Count restored to us
would be one of festivity and enjoyment. Again and again had we talked
over all our plans of pleasure for that occasion; but the reality was
destined to bring back disappointment! We were returning in sadness from
the toll-house, when a messenger came running to tell of the Count's
arrival; and my mother, leaving me with Raper, to whom she whispered a
few hurried words, hastened homewards.

I thought it strange that she had not taken me along with her; but I
walked along silently at Raper's side, lost in my own thoughts, and not
sorry to have for my companion one little li