de Pesca the means of forcing a confession from the Count.

II

Two more events remain to be added to the chain before it reaches
fairly from the outset of the story to the close.

While our new sense of freedom from the long oppression of the past was
still strange to us, I was sent for by the friend who had given me my
first employment in wood engraving, to receive from him a fresh
testimony of his regard for my welfare. He had been commissioned by
his employers to go to Paris, and to examine for them a fresh discovery
in the practical application of his Art, the merits of which they were
anxious to ascertain. His own engagements had not allowed him leisure
time to undertake the errand, and he had most kindly suggested that it
should be transferred to me. I could have no hesitation in thankfully
accepting the offer, for if I acquitted myself of my commission as I
hoped I should, the result would be a permanent engagement on the
illustrated newspaper, to which I was now only occasionally attached.

I received my instructions and packed up for the journey the next day.
On leaving Laura once more (under what changed circumstances!) in her
sister's care, a serious consideration recurred to me, which had more
than once crossed my wife's mind, as well as my own, already--I mean
the consideration of Marian's future. Had we any right to let our
selfish affection accept the devotion of all that generous life? Was it
not our duty, our best expression of gratitude, to forget ourselves,
and to think only of HER? I tried to say this when we were alone for a
moment, before I went away. She took my hand, and silenced me at the
first words.

"After all that we three have suffered together," she said "there can
be no parting between us till the last parting of all. My heart and my
happiness, Walter, are with Laura and you. Wait a little till there
are children's voices at your fireside. I will teach them to speak for
me in THEIR language, and the first lesson they say to their father and
mother shall be--We can't spare our aunt!"

My journey to Paris was not undertaken alone. At the eleventh hour
Pesca decided that he would accompany me. He had not recovered his
customary cheerfulness since the night at the Opera, and he determined
to try what a week's holiday would do to raise his spirits.

I performed the errand entrusted to me, and drew out the necessary
report, on the fourth day from our arrival in Paris. Th