nt.
The infamous wretch has committed another murder equally infamous!"

"What mean you, madame?"

"But a few days since he got rid of an unfortunate young girl, whom he
had an interest in drowning, assured that her death would be attributed
to accident."

M. de Saint-Remy started, looked at Madame d'Harville with surprise, as
he recollected Fleur-de-Marie, and exclaimed:

"Ah, madame, what a singular coincidence! This young girl they sought to
drown--"

"In the Seine, near Asnieres, as I am told."

"'Tis she! 'Tis she!" cried Saint-Remy.

"Of whom do you speak, sir?"

"Of the young girl whom this monster sought to drown. Do you know her,
madame?"

"Poor dear! I love her tenderly. Ah, if you knew, sir, how lovely, how
prepossessing she was! But tell me what you mean."

"Doctor Griffon and I gave her the first assistance."

"First assistance to her! And in what way?"

"At the Isle du Ravageur, where she was saved."

"Saved! Fleur-de-Marie saved?"

"By a worthy creature, who, at the risk of her life, saved her from the
Seine. But what ails you, madame?"

"Ah, sir, I fear to believe in such good fortune; but, I pray of you,
tell me what is the appearance of this young girl?"

"Singularly beautiful!"

"Large, blue eyes,--light brown hair?"

"Yes, madame."

"And when she was drowned, there was an elderly woman with her?"

"It was only yesterday she was well enough to speak, and she is still
very weak; she said an elderly woman accompanied her."

"Praised be Heaven!" said Clemence, clasping her hands with fervour; "I
can now tell him that his protegee still lives! What joy for him who, in
his last letter, spoke to me of this poor child with such bitter
regrets! Excuse me, sir, but you know not how happy your intelligence
renders me, and will make a person who, more than myself, has loved and
protected Fleur-de-Marie. But, for mercy's sake, tell me, where is she
at this moment?"

"Near Asnieres, in the house of one of the surgeons of this hospital,
Doctor Griffon; she was taken there, and has had every attention."

"And is she out of danger?"

"Yes, madame, but only during the last two or three days, and to-day she
will be permitted to write to her protector."

"Oh, I will undertake to do that, sir; or, rather, I shall have the
pleasure of taking her to those who, believing her dead, regret her so
bitterly!"

"I can understand those regrets, madame, for it is impossible to see
Fleur-de-Marie