ng him to Versailles,
and in commending him to the kindly notice of Marie Antoinette and Louis
XVI.; the promises made by their majesties, and lastly the promptitude
with which the Duke, as a proof of his interest, had attached him to his
own household. So Philip was on the highway to wealth and honor at last.
The Princess de Lamballe had evinced a very decided interest in him; he
enjoyed the friendship of the Chevalier de Florian and would soon
accompany the Duke de Penthieore to Brittany. Moreover, these kind
friends were only waiting until he should attain the age of twenty to
request the king to give him command of a company in one of his
regiments.

This good news filled the heart of the Marquis with joy. He immediately
wrote to the Duke, thanking him for his kindness, and that gentleman in
his reply, manifested such an earnest desire to insure Philip's success
that the Marquis and his wife were consoled for their son's absence by
the thought of the brilliant career that seemed to be in store for him.
As for Dolores, what comforted her was not so much her brother's
success as the expressions of affection with which his letter was
filled. All his happiness and all his good fortune were to be shared
with her. It was for her sake he desired fame, in order that he might
make her proud and happy. Thus Philip expressed the still confused
sentiments that filled his young heart, though he did not betray the
secret that his father had confided to him.

This letter seemed to restore to Dolores the natural light-heartedness
of youth. She no longer lamented her brother's absence, but spent most
of her time in writing to him, and in perusing and re-perusing his
letters. The months passed, but brought nothing to disturb the
tranquillity of this monotonous existence. At the end of two years
Philip announced that he had been appointed to the command of a company
of dragoons. This appointment, which he owed entirely to the kindness of
the Princess de Lamballe and the Duke de Penthieore, was only the first
step. The queen had promised not to forget him and to prove her interest
in some conclusive manner. That he might not be obliged to leave his
young master, Coursegol asked and obtained permission to enlist in the
same regiment.

Two more years passed.

It would be a difficult task to describe Dolores as she appeared in
those days. The cleverest pen would be powerless to give an adequate
conception of her charms. Her simple co