antat. "But Sauvresy's distemper was
one against which the science of the most skilful physicians and
the most constant care contend in vain.

"He said that he did not suffer much, but he faded perceptibly, and
was no more than the shadow of his former self. At last, one night,
toward two or three o'clock, he died in the arms of his wife and
his friend. Up to the last moment, he had preserved the full force
of his faculties. Less than an hour before expiring, he wished
everyone to be awakened, and that all the servants of the castle
should be summoned. When they were all gathered about the bedside,
he took his wife's hand, placed it in that of the Count de Tremorel,
and made them swear to marry each other when he was no more. Bertha
and Hector began to protest, but he insisted in such a manner as to
compel assent, praying and adjuring them, and declaring that their
refusal would embitter his last moments. This idea of the marriage
between his widow and his friend seems, besides, to have singularly
possessed his thoughts toward the close of his life. In the
preamble of his will, dictated the night before his death, to M.
Bury, notary of Orcival, he says formally that their union is his
dearest wish, certain as he is of their happiness, and knowing well
that his memory will be piously kept."

"Had Monsieur and Madame Sauvresy no children?" asked the judge of
instruction.

"No," answered the mayor.

M. Plantat continued:

"The grief of the count and the young widow was intense. M. de
Tremorel, especially, seemed absolutely desperate, and acted like a
madman. The countess shut herself up, forbidding even those whom
she loved best from entering her chamber--even Madame Courtois.
When the count and Madame Bertha reappeared, they were scarcely to
be recognized, so much had both changed. Monsieur Hector seemed
to have grown twenty years older. Would they keep the oath made at
the death-bed of Sauvresy, of which everyone was apprised? This
was asked with all the more curiosity, because their profound
sorrow for a man who well merited it, was admired."

The judge of instruction stopped M. Plantat with a motion of his
hand.

"Do you know," asked he, "whether the rendezvous at the Hotel Belle
Image had ceased?"

"I suppose so, sir; I think so."

"I am almost sure of it," said Dr. Gendron. "I have often heard
it said--they know everything at Corbeil--that there was a heated
explanation between M. de Tremorel and the pr