, on my honor."

"Abbe, if you have no objection, I should prefer another oath."

"Oh, monseigneur, you are too hard; but you consent?"

"Again this folly."

"You shall see if it be folly."

"I believe you make plots to frighten me."

"Then they are well made; you shall see."

"Are you certain?"

"Absolutely."

"If I am not frightened, look to yourself."

"Monseigneur exacts too much."

"You are not sure, Dubois."

"I swear to you, monsieur, that you will be moved, and will be glad to
speak with his excellency's tongue."

And Dubois went out before the regent had time to withdraw his consent.

Five minutes after, a courier entered the antechamber, and gave a letter
to a page, who brought it to the regent.

"Madame Desroches," said he, looking at the writing, and, breaking the
seal, read as follows:

"MONSEIGNEUR--The young lady you left in my charge does
not appear to be in safety here."

"Bah," exclaimed the regent, and then read on--

"The residence in the town, which your highness feared
for her, would be a hundred times better than
isolation; and I do not feel strong enough to defend
her as I would wish, and as I ought."

"Ouais," said the regent, "it seems something is the matter."

"A young man, who had written to Mademoiselle Helene
shortly before your arrival yesterday, presented
himself this morning at the pavilion; I wished to
refuse him admittance, but mademoiselle so peremptorily
ordered me to admit him, and to retire, that in her
look and tone I recognized the blood which commands."

"Yes, yes," said the regent, "she is, indeed, my daughter; but who can
this young man be? Some coxcomb she must have seen in the convent
parlor." Then he read on:

"I believe, monseigneur, that this young man and
mademoiselle have met before. I did not think it wrong
to listen, for your highness's service, and in spite of
the double door I once heard him say, 'To see you as
formerly.' Will your royal highness secure me against
this danger, and send me a written order which I can
use to shelter myself from the anger of mademoiselle."

"Diable!" exclaimed the regent, "it cannot be a love affair already;
brought up in the only convent in France where men never pass the
parlor. No, it is some foolish fear of Madame Desroches; but let us see
what else she writes."

"P. S.--I have just been to the hote