nd I must suffer also. It is hardly just, is it?"

"Suppose I told you--er--I am innocent?"

"Please!" One rosy palm closed his lips. "You must never lie to me, even
to promote my happiness. No! When a woman loves, she loves blindly,
without reason, regardless of her lover's unworthiness. You have brought
misery to me as you brought it to--her. Perhaps you, too, will suffer,
as a punishment."

"And why have you devoted yourself to my mother?" he inquired.

"I love her. I am alone in the world. We are poor together. Cousin
Alfred has my money, too, you understand."

Van Dam was tempted, as upon several former occasions, to tell her the
truth, but a sudden idea occurred to him--an idea so inspiring, so
brilliant, that it brought an exclamation to his lips.

"Wait here for a moment," he said, and, leaving her, he stole into the
library. With an eye upon the sleeping figure, he knelt before the safe
and turned the knob. It opened noiselessly; and the sight of the
close-packed cash-drawer filled him with a tremendous merriment. It was
exhilarating, it was God-like to be endowed with the power of
restitution and retribution. He greatly enjoyed the feel of the crisp
new bank-notes as he emptied the compartment and assembled the packages
into a bundle. He was amazed at the amount represented. There must have
been twenty thousand dollars, all in those smooth, unsoiled ten-dollar
bills. Evidently the old miser preferred lock and key to a banker's
vagaries. Naughty Alfred, to rob widows and orphans! Well, he had been
warned of the danger of robbery. Van Dam predicted apoplexy for the
owner when he discovered his loss.

The girl was waiting where he had left her, but when she discovered the
nature of the gift he bore, she drew back in amazement.

"Come! Come!" he said. "It belongs to you and--Felice."

"But--_Mon Dieu!_"

"I have prospered. A lucky speculation--a gift from the gods, as it
were! You need have no hesitation in accepting it, for it is yours. And
no one can take it from you, not even Cousin Alfred."

She was still protesting, when they heard the mother call.

"This money--another miracle!" Madelon exclaimed. "It is wonderful! I
feel that I am dreaming. But come! We have overstayed; we may be
discovered at any moment."

He took her in his arms again and whispered his adoration. "I am coming
to find you, Madelon. I have the power to work miracles, you see."

"No, no! If you care for me, you must guard you