of Naples. How much have we, Louise?" The young girl to
whom this question was addressed drew from an inlaid secretary a small
portfolio with a lock, in which she counted twenty-three bank-notes.

"Twenty-three thousand francs," said she.

"And as much, at least, in pearls, diamonds, and jewels," said
Eugenie. "We are rich. With forty-five thousand francs we can live
like princesses for two years, and comfortably for four; but before six
months--you with your music, and I with my voice--we shall double our
capital. Come, you shall take charge of the money, I of the jewel-box;
so that if one of us had the misfortune to lose her treasure, the other
would still have hers left. Now, the portmanteau--let us make haste--the
portmanteau!"

"Stop!" said Louise, going to listen at Madame Danglars' door.

"What do you fear?"

"That we may be discovered."

"The door is locked."

"They may tell us to open it."

"They may if they like, but we will not."

"You are a perfect Amazon, Eugenie!" And the two young girls began
to heap into a trunk all the things they thought they should require.
"There now," said Eugenie, "while I change my costume do you lock the
portmanteau." Louise pressed with all the strength of her little hands
on the top of the portmanteau. "But I cannot," said she; "I am not
strong enough; do you shut it."

"Ah, you do well to ask," said Eugenie, laughing; "I forgot that I was
Hercules, and you only the pale Omphale!" And the young girl, kneeling
on the top, pressed the two parts of the portmanteau together, and
Mademoiselle d'Armilly passed the bolt of the padlock through. When this
was done, Eugenie opened a drawer, of which she kept the key, and took
from it a wadded violet silk travelling cloak. "Here," said she, "you
see I have thought of everything; with this cloak you will not be cold."

"But you?"

"Oh, I am never cold, you know! Besides, with these men's clothes"--

"Will you dress here?"

"Certainly."

"Shall you have time?"

"Do not be uneasy, you little coward! All our servants are busy,
discussing the grand affair. Besides, what is there astonishing, when
you think of the grief I ought to be in, that I shut myself up?--tell
me!"

"No, truly--you comfort me."

"Come and help me."

From the same drawer she took a man's complete costume, from the
boots to the coat, and a provision of linen, where there was nothing
superfluous, but every requisite. Then, with a promptitude which