n your hands. If aught evil happen to her, I think I should go
mad with grief," he said slowly. "And a madman is dangerous, my friend;
he is apt to be unreasonable, to disbelieve excuses, and to shoot those
whom he fancies have betrayed him! So pray you that I find Rosette in
safety when I come again. Farewell!"

But before he disappeared into the night, he turned smiling to the
child. "Farewell, little one. In the brighter days I will come for thee
again. Forget me not!"

* * * * *

Round Jean Paulet's door one bright afternoon clustered a troop of the
republican soldiers, eyeing indolently the perspiring farmer as he ran
to and fro with water for their horses, and sweetening his labours with
scraps of the latest news.

"He, Paulet," suddenly asked the corporal, "hast heard anything of the
rebel General Marigny?"

"No!" replied the farmer hurriedly. "What should I hear? Is he still
alive?"

"Yes, curse him! So, too, is that wretched girl, daughter of a vile
aristocrat, that he saved from starvation. Bah! as if starving was not
too good a death for her! But there is a price set on Marigny, and a
reward would be given for the child too. So some one will soon betray
them, and then--why, we will see if they had not rather have starved!"
he said ferociously.

"I--I have heard this Marigny is a brave man," observed the farmer
timidly.

"That is why we want the child! There is nothing would humble him save
perchance to find he could not save the child he loves from torture. Ha!
ha! we shall have a merry time then!"

"Doubtless this Marigny is no friend to the republic," said the farmer
hesitatingly.

The corporal laughed noisily as he gathered up his horse's reins. "Head
and front of this insurrection--an accursed rebel! But he shall pay for
it, he shall pay; and so will all those fools who have helped him!"

And the little band of soldiers rode away, shouting and jesting, leaving
Jean Paulet with a heart full of fear.

With trembling fingers he pushed open the house door, and, stepping into
the kitchen, found Rosette crouched beneath the open window. "Heard you
what they said--that they are seeking for you?" he gasped.

Rosette nodded. "They have done that this long time," she observed
coolly.

[Sidenote: "They must find You!"]

"But--but--some time they must find you!" he stammered.

Rosette laughed. "Perhaps--if I become as stupid a coward as Jean
Paulet."

The farmer