milion lips
were half open, as if she again inhaled with rapture pure and vivifying
air.

"I have been only a few days in this horrible place," she resumed, "but I
have suffered enough from my captivity to make me resolve never to let a
year pass without restoring to liberty some poor prisoners for debt. This
vow no doubt appears to belong a little to the Middle Ages," added she,
with a smile; "but I would fain borrow from that noble epoch something
more than its old windows and furniture. So, doubly thanks, sir!--for I
take you as a partner in that project of deliverance, which has just (you
see) unfolded itself in the midst of the happiness I owe to you, and by
which you seem so much affected. Oh! let my joy speak my gratitude, and
pay you for your generous aid!" exclaimed the young girl with enthusiasm.

Mdlle. de Cardoville had truly remarked a complete transfiguration in the
countenance of Rodin. This man, lately so harsh, severe, inflexible, with
regard to Dr. Baleinier, appeared now under the influence of the mildest
and most tender sentiments. His little, half-veiled eyes were fixed upon
Adrienne with an expression of ineffable interest. Then, as if he wished
to tear himself from these impressions, he said, speaking to himself,
"Come, come, no weakness. Time is too precious; my mission is not
fulfilled. My dear young lady," added he, addressing himself to Adrienne,
"believe what I say--we will talk hereafter of gratitude--but we have now
to talk of the present so important for you and your family. Do you know
what is taking place?"

Adrienne looked at the Jesuit with surprise, and said, "What is taking
place, sir?"

"Do you know the real motive of your imprisonment in this house? Do you
know what influenced the Princess de Saint-Dizier and Abbe d'Aigrigny?"

At the sound of those detested names, Mdlle. de Cardoville's face, now so
full of happiness, became suddenly sad, and she answered with bitterness,
"It is hatred, sir, that no doubt animated Madame de Saint-Dizier against
me."

"Yes, hatred; and, moreover, the desire to rob you with impunity of an
immense fortune."

"Me, sir! how?"

"You must be ignorant, my dear young lady, of the interest you had to be
in the Rue Saint-Francois on the 13th February, for an inheritance?"

"I was ignorant, sir, of the date and details: but I knew by some family
papers, and thanks to an extraordinary circumstance, that one of our
ancestors--"

"Had left an enormo