e and
see him that he might explain the matter more at length.

By the time this letter was received, Monsieur Lousteau-Prangin had
verified, by the testimony of the bell-ringer, the market-women and
washerwomen, and the miller's men, the truth of Joseph's explanation.
Max's letter made his innocence only the more certain, and Monsieur
Mouilleron himself escorted him back to the Hochons'. Joseph was
greeted with such overflowing tenderness by his mother that the poor
misunderstood son gave thanks to ill-luck--like the husband to the
thief, in La Fontaine's fable--for a mishap which brought him such
proofs of affection.

"Oh," said Monsieur Mouilleron, with a self-satisfied air, "I knew at
once by the way you looked at the angry crowd that you were innocent;
but whatever I may have thought, any one who knows Issoudun must also
know that the only way to protect you was to make the arrest as we did.
Ah! you carried your head high."

"I was thinking of something else," said the artist simply. "An officer
in the army told me that he was once stopped in Dalmatia under similar
circumstances by an excited populace, in the early morning as he was
returning from a walk. This recollection came into my mind, and I looked
at all those heads with the idea of painting a revolt of the year 1793.
Besides, I kept saying to myself: Blackguard that I am! I have only
got my deserts for coming here to look after an inheritance, instead of
painting in my studio."

"If you will allow me to offer you a piece of advice," said the
procureur du roi, "you will take a carriage to-night, which the
postmaster will lend you, and return to Paris by the diligence from
Bourges."

"That is my advice also," said Monsieur Hochon, who was burning with a
desire for the departure of his guests.

"My most earnest wish is to get away from Issoudun, though I leave my
only friend here," said Agathe, kissing Madame Hochon's hand. "When
shall I see you again?"

"Ah! my dear, never until we meet above. We have suffered enough here
below," she added in a low voice, "for God to take pity upon us."

Shortly after, while Monsieur Mouilleron had gone across the way to talk
with Max, Gritte greatly astonished Monsieur and Madame Hochon, Agathe,
Joseph, and Adolphine by announcing the visit of Monsieur Rouget.
Jean-Jacques came to bid his sister good-by, and to offer her his
caleche for the drive to Bourges.

"Ah! your pictures have been a great evil to us," said