nery,
the wild whistling of the steam, made a fitting accompaniment to the
tumult of her soul. The door opened.

"You sent for me," said Chariot, in a gay voice.

The presence of Clarisse, her pallor, and the stern look of his chief,
told the story. She had kept her word. For a moment his bold face lost
its color, and he looked like an animal driven into a corner.

"Not a word," said the Director; "we know all that you wish to say. This
woman has robbed her husband and her daughter for you. You promised to
return her the money in two days. Where is it?"

Chariot turned beseechingly toward Clarisse. She did not look at him;
she had seen him too well that terrible night.

"Where is the money?" repeated the superintendent.

"Here--I have brought it."

What he said was true. He had kept his promise to Clarisse, but not
finding her at home, had only too gladly carried it away again.

His chief took up the bills. "Is it all here?"

"All but eight hundred francs," the other answered, with some
hesitation; "but I will return them."

"Now sit down and write at my dictation," said the superintendent,
sternly.

Clarisse looked up quickly. This letter was a matter of life and death
to her.

"Write: 'It is I who, in a moment of insane folly, took six thousand
francs from the wardrobe in the Rondic house.'"

Chariot internally rebelled at these words, but he was afraid that
Clarisse would establish the facts in all their naked cruelty.

The superintendent continued: "'I return the money; it burns me. Release
the poor fellows who have been suspected, and entreat my uncle to
forgive me. Tell him that I am going away, and shall return only when,
through labor and penitence, I shall have acquired the right to shake an
honest man's hand.' Now sign it."

Seeing that Chariot hesitated, the superintendent said, peremptorily,
"Take care, young man! I warn you that if you do not sign this letter,
and address it to me, this woman will be at once arrested."

Chariot signed.

"Now go," resumed the superintendent, "to Guerigny, if you will, and
try to behave well. Remember, moreover, that if I hear of you in the
neighborhood of Indret, you will be arrested at once."

As Chariot left the room, he cast one glance at Clarisse. But the charm
was broken; she turned her head away resolutely, and when the door
closed tried to express her gratitude to the superintendent.

"Do not thank me, madame," he said; "it is for your husband'