d hurried back through the two long
passages at right angles that conducted her from the nursery to the
Infants' Asylum.

She passed silently as a spirit through every dormitory where her infant
charges lay sleeping, assured herself that they were all safe and well,
and then she entered her own little sleeping-closet adjoining the
dormitory of the youngest infants, then disrobed and went to bed.

She was much too happy to sleep. She lay counting the hours to calculate
in how short a time she could be with her beloved husband!

She had no dread of meeting him, not the least.

"Perfect love casteth out fear."

She arose early the next morning, and, after going through all her duties
in the Infants' Asylum, she went to the lady-superior's sitting-room to
consult her about making arrangements for an immediate departure for
England.

"But shall you not write first to announce your arrival?" inquired the
abbess.

"No; because I can go to England just as quickly as a letter can, and I
would rather go. There is a train from L'Ange at five P. M. I
can go by that and reach Calais in time for the morning boat, and be in
London by noon to-morrow--as soon as a letter could go. And I could see
my husband, actually see him, before I could possibly get a letter from
him," said Salome, brightening.

"If his grace should be in London," put in the abbess.

"I think he will be in London. If he is not there, I can find out where
he is, and follow him. Dear madam, _do_ not hinder me. I _must_
start by the first available train," said Salome, earnestly.

"I do not desire to hinder you," answered the lady-superior.

Their conversation was interrupted by the entrance of Sister Francoise,
who pale and agitated, sank upon the nearest seat, and sat trembling and
speechless, until the abbess exclaimed:

"For the love of Heaven, Sister Francoise, tell us what has happened. Who
is ill? Who is dead?"

"_Helas!_ holy mother!" gasped the nun, losing her breath again
immediately.

Salome drew a small phial of sal volatile from her pocket and uncorked
and applied it to the nose of the fainting nun, saying soothingly:

"Now tell us what has overcome you, good sister."

"Ah, my child! It is dreadful! It is terrible! It is horrible! It is
awful! But they are bringing him in!" gasped Sister Francoise, snuffing
vigorously at the sal volatile, and still beside herself with excitement.

"What! What! Who are they bringing in?" demanded the ab