to this hint.

"I give you credit for being an angel," said Raynal warmly.

He hesitated. Rose was trembling, her fork shaking in her poor little
hand.

She cast a piteous glance at him. He saw it.

"You shall go with me next time," said he. "Let us speak of it no more."

Josephine bowed her head. "At least give me something to do for you
while you are away. Tell me what I can do for my absent friend to show
my gratitude, my regard, my esteem."

"Well, let me think. I saw a plain gray dress at Beaurepaire."

"Yes, monsieur. My gray silk, Rose."

"I like that dress."

"Do you? Then the moment I reach home after losing you I shall put it
on, and it shall be my constant wear. I see; you are right; gray becomes
a wife whose husband is not dead, but is absent, and alas! in hourly
danger."

"Now look at that!" cried Raynal to the company. "That is her all
over: she can see six meanings where another would see but one. I never
thought of that, I swear. I like modest colors, that is all. My mother
used to be all for modest wives wearing modest colors."

"I am of her mind, sir. Is there nothing more difficult you will be so
good as give me to do?"

"No; there is only one order more, and that will be easier still to such
a woman as you. I commit to your care the name of Raynal. It is not
so high a name as yours, but it is as honest. I am proud of it: I am
jealous of it. I shall guard it for you in Egypt: you guard it in France
for me."

"With my life," cried Josephine, lifting her eyes and her hand to
heaven.

Soon after this Raynal ordered his charger.

The baroness began to cry. "The young people may hope to see you again,"
said she; "but there are two chances against your poor old mother."

"Courage, mother!" cried the stout soldier. "No, no; you won't play me
such a trick: once is enough for that game."

"Brother!" cried Rose, "do not go without kissing your little sister,
who loves you and thanks you." He kissed her. "Bravo, generous soul!"
she cried, with her arms round his neck. "God protect you, and send you
back safe to us!"

"Amen!" cried all present by one impulse, even the cold notary.

Raynal's mustache quivered. He kissed Josephine hastily on the brow, the
baroness on both cheeks; shook the men's hands warmly but hastily, and
strode out without looking behind him. He was moved for once.

They all followed him to the door of the house. He was tightening his
horse's girths. He flung himself