236
III. THE VOWS 262
IV. THE THIRTEENTH OF JANUARY 267

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

PAGE
"KNEELING DOWN PLACED IT ON THE GROUND" _Frontispiece_
"WAS LOOKING AT HERSELF IN A MIRROR" 44
"THEY TOOK HER TO THEIR GUILTY HAUNTS" 65
"THE SCHOOLMASTER WAS SITTING ON A BENCH" 172
"IN THE CHURCH IN PRAYER" 264

THE MYSTERIES OF PARIS.

CHAPTER I.

PUNISHMENT.

We will again conduct the reader into the study of Jacques Ferrand.
Availing ourselves of the loquacity of the clerks, we shall endeavour,
through their instrumentality, to narrate the events that had occurred
since the disappearance of Cecily.

"A hundred sous to ten, if his present state continues, that in less
than a month our governor will go off with a pop."

"The fact is, since Cecily left, he is only skin and bones."

"And now he takes to the priests again more than ever."

"The cure of the parish is a most respectable man, and I overheard him
say yesterday, to another priest who accompanied him, 'It is admirable!
M. Jacques Ferrand is the personification of charity.'"

"Well, then, when the cure declares a thing one must credit it; and yet
to believe that the governor is charitable is almost beyond my belief."

"Remember the forty sous for our breakfast."

"Yes, but then the head clerk says that three days ago the governor
realised a large sum in the funds, and that he is about to sell his
business."

"Well, no doubt he has the means to retire."

"He has speculated on the Bourse, and gained lots of money."

"What astonishes me is this friend who follows him like his shadow."

"Yes, he does not leave M. Ferrand for a moment; they eat together, and
seem as if they were inseparable."

"It seems to me as if I had seen this intruder somewhere!"

"Have you not remarked that every two hours there comes a man with large
light moustaches, with a military air, who inquires for the intruder of
the porter? This friend then goes down-stairs, discourses for a moment
with the hero with moustaches, after which the military gent turns on
his heel, goes away, and returns two hours afterwards."

"Yes, I have remarked it. It appears to me that, as I go and come, I see
in the street men who