nd distressed, scarce able to lift his eyes to her
in the excess of his reverence for her. She knew that, since that
eventful night, he had given play up entirely, and completely altered
his mode of life, and that she--she alone--was the cause of this. She
had saved him from destruction; could anything flatter a woman more?

"When old Vertua had exchanged the ordinary civilities with him, she
spoke to him in a tone of gentle pity, saying, 'What is the matter,
Chevalier? You look ill and unhappy. You ought to go and consult a
doctor.'

"We can understand that her words filled him with comfort and hope. He
was a different man in a moment. He lifted his head, and managed to
talk once more in the manner which, when it welled from his very heart
in former days, used to attract and endear him to all who knew him.
Vertua reminded him that he had not come to take possession of the
house he had won.

"'Very well, I will come,' he answered, with an inspiration breaking
upon him. 'I will come to-morrow; but we must discuss all the
conditions at proper length and leisure, even if it should take
months.'

"'So be it, Chevalier,' said Vertua, with a smile. 'Perhaps we may come
to discuss matters which we do not quite see into at present.'

"The Chevalier, inwardly comforted, resumed all the charm of manner and
all the delightful qualities which had distinguished him before he was
carried away by his devouring passion. His visits at Vertua's became
more and more frequent, and Angela grew more and more disposed towards
the man whose guardian angel she had been, till at last she believed
she loved him with all her heart, and promised him her hand, to the
great joy of old Vertua, who saw in this the settlement of his losses.

"One day Angela, now the happy betrothed of the Chevalier Menars, was
sitting at a window, lost in all the sweet dreams and happy fancies
which young ladies in her position are believed to be wont to
entertain, when a regiment of Jaegers came marching along, with
trumpets sounding bravely, on their way to join in the Spanish
campaign. She was looking with pitiful sympathy at the men thus going
to face death in this war, when a very young officer, who was reining
his horse quickly to one side, looked up at her, and she fell back
fainting in her seat.

"Alas! This young Jaeger, marching off to face death in the field, was
no other than young Duvernet, the son of a neighbour, with whom she had
grown up, who ha