raced her tenderly and
sighed: "Soon, perhaps, thou wilt be my only child!"

"Have they taken Edmond away from you?" asked the child.

"They have indeed, my dear little one," replied the father.

"They will soon restore him to you again," said Eveline coaxingly, "we
can make better use of him, for others do not know at all what to do
with him."

All this moment firing was heard in the distance, and the old man
concealed himself with his child in the most retired room of the house.

He was soon recalled to the saloon, and was not a little surprised to
see his friend, the doctor, standing before him, and in reality clothed
in the dress of a peasant, so that at first he did not recognize him.
"Be not uneasy," said he, "nothing unfortunate has happened to us, but
something very ridiculous to me; only think, scarcely had I disguised
myself in this merry-andrew fashion, and advanced afoot towards the
mountains, than a servant, whether luckily, or unluckily, stepped up to
me, recognized me again and requested my attendance at the Marquis of
Valmont's, who is suddenly taken dangerously ill, the carriage was
waiting ready, I threw myself into it, made them drive as fast as the
horses could run, and here, just before your door, it occurs to me for
the first time, that in the dark and hurry, I left all my unfortunate
wardrobe at the inn in the wood, sword, wig, and every thing. Assist me
quickly with some of your clothes, or I shall not be able to attend the
Marquis."

"And the two foolish youths," said the Counsellor, "they are now alone,
without your counsel and prudence. Why did I suffer myself to be
infected with your frivolity?"

"Make no objections, my good friend," exclaimed the former, "all
these are trifles compared to my misery!--He quickly tore off his
clothes;--Bring! give!"

The domestic who was summoned thither assisted him, "My clothes are too
long, and perhaps too narrow for you," said the Counsellor. "Never
mind," cried the eager doctor, I shall perhaps the more easily impose
on the invalid; the black coat, the neckcloth, the waistcoat descends
to the knee, no harm in that; now for the wig!

"You know, extraordinary man," said the Lord of Beauvais, "that I have
given up that ornament here in this retirement more than ten years
ago.--There is not one in the house."

"No wig!" exclaimed Vila, and with horror let fall the black coat,
through one of the sleeves of which he had thrust his arm.--"Not a
sing