he third day Modest informed him, with tears in her eyes, that
though the cataleptic fit had passed away, Sabine was struggling with
a severe attack of fever. Modeste and Andre were so interested in their
conversation, that they did not perceive Florestan, who had gone out to
post a letter to Mascarin.

"Listen, Modeste," whispered Andre, "you tell me that she is in
danger,--very great danger."

"The doctor said that the crisis would take place to-day; be here at
five this evening."

Andre staggered like a madman to De Breulh's house; and so excited was
he that his friend insisted upon his taking some repose, and would not,
when five o'clock arrived, permit Andre to go to the appointment alone.
As they turned the corner, they saw Modeste hurrying toward them.

"She is saved, she is saved!" said she, "for she has fallen into a
tranquil sleep, and the doctor says that she will recover."

Andre and De Breulh were transported by this news; but they did not know
that they were watched by two men, Mascarin and Florestan, who did not
let one of their movements escape them. Warned by a brief note from
Florestan, Mascarin had driven swiftly to Father Canon's public-house,
where he thought he was certain to find the domestic, but the man was
not there, and Mascarin, unable to endure further suspense, sent for him
to the Hotel de Mussidan. When the servant informed Mascarin that the
crisis was safely passed, he drew a deep breath of relief; for he no
longer feared that the frail structure that he had built up with such
patient care for twenty long years would be shattered at a blow by
the chill hand of death. He bent his brow, however, when he heard of
Modeste's daily interviews with the young man whom Florestan termed
"Mademoiselle's lover."

"Ah," muttered he, "if I could only be present at one of those
interviews!"

"And, as you say," returned Florestan, drawing out, as he spoke, a
neat-looking watch, "it is just the hour of their meeting; and as the
place is always the same, you--"

"Come, then," broke in his patron. They went out accordingly, and
reached the Champs Elysees by a circuitous route. The place was
admirably suited to their purpose, for close by were several of those
little wooden huts, occupied in summer by the vendors of cakes and
playthings.

"Let us get behind one of these," said Florestan. Night was drawing
in, but objects could still be distinguished, and in about five minutes
Florestan whispered,