that, left a stranger and wholly destitute
in a foreign land, by the imprudence of her husband, she considered
herself particularly fortunate in being able to obtain a shelter under
so sanctified a roof as M. Ferrand's as a most singular interposition of
Providence. The sight of so much misfortune, united to so much heavenly
resignation, banished all hesitation from the mind of Jacques, and he
wrote to the birthplace of the unfortunate girl for further information
respecting her. The reply to his inquiries was most satisfactory, as
well as confirmatory of all the young person had previously stated.
Then, assured of rightly dispensing his benevolence, Jacques bestowed
the most paternal kindness on Cecily, whom he sent back to her own
country, with a sum of money to support her till better days should
dawn, or she be enabled to obtain some suitable employment. Now I will
not utter one word in Jacques's praise for doing all this,--let the
facts speak for themselves."

"Excellent! Most excellent!" exclaimed the deeply affected cure.

"M. l'Abbe," said Jacques Ferrand, in a hoarse and abrupt tone, "I do
not desire to take up your valuable time in discoursing of myself, but
of the project respecting which I requested your presence, and for the
furtherance of which I wished to obtain your valuable concurrence."

"I can well understand that the praises so justly bestowed on you by
your friend are painful to one of your extreme modesty; let us, then,
merely speak of your good works as though you were not the author of
them. But, first of all, let me give an account of my own proceedings in
the matters you confided to me. According to your desire, I have
deposited the sum of one hundred thousand crowns in the Bank of France,
in my own name, with the intention of employing that amount in the act
of restitution of which you are the medium, and which I am to effect.
You preferred the money being lodged in the bank, although, in my
opinion, it would have been in equal safety with you."

"And in so doing, M. l'Abbe, I only acted in concurrence with the wishes
of the person making this restitution for the sake of his conscience.
His request to me was to place the sum mentioned by you in your hands,
and to entreat of you to forward it to the widow lady, Madame Fermont,
whose maiden name was Renneville (the notary's voice trembled as he
pronounced these two names), whenever that person should present herself
to you. I fully substantia