rtune--a small
one, as compared with what he had possessed, yet a fortune.

The certainty of this delighted him, and moved by a momentary and
sincere gratitude, he grasped both of Sauvresy's hands in his.

"Ah, my friend," cried he, "you give me my honor, after saving my
life! How can I ever repay you?"

"By committing no imprudences or foolishnesses, except reasonable
ones. Such as this," added Sauvresy, leaning toward Bertha and
embracing her.

"And there is nothing more to fear?"

"Nothing! Why I could have borrowed the two millions in an hour,
and they knew it. But that's not all. The search for you is
suspended. I went to your house, took the responsibility of sending
away all your servants except your valet and a groom. If you agree,
we'll send the horses to be sold to-morrow, and they'll fetch a
good price; your own saddle-horse shall be brought here."

These details annoyed Bertha. She thought her husband exaggerated
his services, carrying them even to servility.

"Really," thought she, "he was born to be a steward."

"Do you know what else I did?" pursued Sauvresy. "Thinking that
perhaps you were in want of a wardrobe, I had three or four trunks
filled with your clothes, sent them out by rail, and one of the
servants has just gone after them."

Hector, too, began to find Sauvresy's services excessive, and thought
he treated him too much like a child who could foresee nothing. The
idea of having it said before a woman that he was in want of clothes
irritated him. He forgot that he had found it a very simple thing
in the morning to ask his friend for some linen.

Just then a noise was heard in the vestibule. Doubtless the trunks
had come. Bertha went out to give the necessary orders.

"Quick!" cried Sauvresy. "Now that we are alone, here are your
trinkets. I had some trouble in getting them. They are suspicious
at the pawnbroker's. I think they began to suspect that I was one
of a band of thieves."

"You didn't mention my name, did you?"

"That would have been useless. My notary was with me, fortunately.
One never knows how useful one's notary may be. Don't you think
society is unjust toward notaries?"

Tremorel thought his friend talked very lightly about a serious
matter, and this flippancy vexed him.

"To finish up, I paid a visit to Miss Jenny. She has been abed
since last evening, and her chambermaid told me she had not ceased
sobbing bitterly ever since your departure."

"Had she seen