to school, he
would have been kept from temptation. The old doctor was right, after
all. And Jack had lived with these people for two years! All the
prejudices of her superficial nature revolted against her surroundings.
She was incapable of comprehending the grandeur of a task accomplished,
of a life purchased by the fatigue of the body and the labor of the
hands. To change the current of her thoughts, she took up the prospectus
of which we have spoken--"_Maison Paternelle_." The system adopted was
absolute isolation. The mother's heart swelled with anguish, and she
closed the book and went to the window, where she stood with her eyes
fixed on a small bit of the Loire that she saw at the foot of a street,
where the water was as rough as the sea itself.

D'Argenton, in the meantime, was accomplishing his mission. He would
not have relinquished the duty for any amount of money. He was fond
of attitudes and scenes. He prepared in advance the terms in which he
should address the criminal.

An old woman pointed out the house of the Rondics, but when he reached
it he hesitated. Must he not have made a mistake? From the wide open
windows came the sound of gay music, and heavy feet were heard keeping
time to it. "No, this cannot be it," said D'Argenton, who naturally
expected to find a desolate house.

"Come, Zenaide, it is your turn," called some one.

"Zenaide"--why, that was Rondic's daughter! These people certainly did
not take this affair much to heart. All at once a crowd of white-capped
women passed the window, singing loudly.

"Come, Brigadier I come, Jack!" said some one.

Somewhat mystified, the poet pushed open the door, and amid the dust and
crowd he saw Jack, radiant with happiness, dancing with a stout girl,
who smiled with her whole heart at a good-looking fellow in uniform. In
a corner sat a gray-haired man, much amused by all that was going on;
with him was a tall, pale, young woman, who looked very sad.

CHAPTER XVI.~~CLARISSE.

This was what had happened. The day after he had written to Jack's
mother, the superintendent was in his office alone, when Madame Rondic
entered, pale and agitated. Paying little attention to the coolness with
which she was received, her conduct having for a long time habituated
her to the silent contempt of all who respected themselves, she refused
to sit down, and, standing erect, said slowly, attempting to conceal her
emotion,--

"I have come to tell you that the