by the guardianship account, he was
now his debtor. The two young men accordingly gave solemn promises
of amendment, prompted by their imperilled interests, and by the hope
Madame Hochon held out, that the debt to Max should be paid.

"You have done very wrong," she said to them; "repair it by future good
conduct, and Monsieur Hochon will forget it."

So, when Francois had read the letter which had been brought for Baruch,
over the latter's shoulder, he whispered in his ear, "Ask grandpapa's
advice."

"Read this," said Baruch, taking the letter to old Hochon.

"Read it to me yourself; I haven't my spectacles."

My dear Friend,--I hope you will not hesitate, under the serious
circumstances in which I find myself, to do me the service of
receiving a power of attorney from Monsieur Rouget. Be at Vatan
to-morrow morning at nine o'clock. I shall probably send you to
Paris, but don't be uneasy; I will furnish you with money for the
journey, and join you there immediately. I am almost sure I shall
be obliged to leave Issoudun, December third.

Adieu. I count on your friendship; rely on that of your friend,

Maxence

"God be praised!" exclaimed Monsieur Hochon; "the property of that old
idiot is saved from the claws of the devil."

"It will be if you say so," said Madame Hochon; "and I thank God,--who
has no doubt heard my prayers. The prosperity of the wicked is always
fleeting."

"You must go to Vatan, and accept the power of attorney from Monsieur
Rouget," said the old man to Baruch. "Their object is to get fifty
thousand francs a year transferred to Mademoiselle Brazier. They will
send you to Paris, and you must seem to go; but you are to stop at
Orleans, and wait there till you hear from me. Let no one--not a
soul--know where you lodge; go to the first inn you come to in the
faubourg Bannier, no matter if it is only a post-house--"

"Look here!" cried Francois, who had rushed to the window at the sudden
noise of wheels in the Grande-Narette. "Here's something new!--Pere
Rouget and Colonel Bridau coming back together in the caleche, Benjamin
and Captain Carpentier following on horseback!"

"I'll go over," cried Monsieur Hochon, whose curiosity carried the day
over every other feeling.

Monsieur Hochon found old Rouget in his bedroom, writing the following
letter at his nephew's dictation:

Mademoiselle,--If you do not start to return here the moment you
receive this letter, your co