s revelation. He believed the robbery
had been committed, and no longer tried to explain to himself the
abnormal condition of his "little dreamer." He left Ursula at once and
went directly to Minoret's.

"Monsieur l'abbe," said Zelie, "my husband's temper is so soured I don't
know what he mightn't do. Until now he's been a child; but for the last
two months he's not the same man. To get angry enough to strike me--me,
so gentle! There must be something dreadful the matter to change him
like that. You'll find him among the rocks; he spends all his time
there,--doing what, I'd like to know?"

In spite of the heat (it was then September, 1836), the abbe crossed the
canal and took a path which led to the base of one of the rocks, where
he saw Minoret.

"You are greatly troubled, Monsieur Minoret," said the priest going
up to him. "You belong to me because you suffer. Unhappily, I come to
increase your pain. Ursula had a terrible dream last night. Your uncle
lifted the stone from his grave and came forth to prophecy a great
disaster in your family. I certainly am not here to frighten you; but
you ought to know what he said--"

"I can't be easy anywhere, Monsieur Chaperon, not even among these
rocks, and I'm sure I don't want to know anything that is going on in
another world."

"Then I will leave you, monsieur; I did not take this hot walk for
pleasure," said the abbe, mopping his forehead.

"Well, what do you want to say?" demanded Minoret.

"You are threatened with the loss of your son. If the dead man told
things that you alone know, one must needs tremble when he tells things
that no one can know till they happen. Make restitution, I say, make
restitution. Don't damn your soul for a little money."

"Restitution of what?"

"The fortune the doctor intended for Ursula. You took those three
certificates--I know it now. You began by persecuting that poor girl,
and you end by offering her a fortune; you have stumbled into lies, you
have tangled yourself up in this net, and you are taking false steps
every day. You are very clumsy and unskilful; your accomplice Goupil has
served you ill; he simply laughs at you. Make haste and clear your
mind, for you are watched by intelligent and penetrating eyes,--those of
Ursula's friends. Make restitution! and if you do not save your son (who
may not really be threatened), you will save your soul, and you will
save your honor. Do you believe that in a society like ours, in a litt