y the party that had accompanied
him, proceeded on his way, leaving the Schoolmaster a prey to his own
distracting thoughts, the most bitter of which was the certainty of
having heard his son's voice, and that of his wife, for the last time.
Aware of the just horror with which he inspired them, the misery, shame,
and affright with which they would have heard the disclosure of his name
made him prefer a thousand deaths to such a revelation. One only, but
great, consolation remained in the certainty of having awakened the pity
of his son; and, with this thought to comfort him, the miserable being
determined to endure his sufferings with repentance and submission.

"We are now about to pass by the yard appropriated to the use of the
idiot patients," said the doctor, stopping before a large grated door,
through which the poor idiotic beings might be seen huddled together,
with every appearance of the most distressing imbecility.

Spite of Madame Georges's recent agitation, she could not refrain from
casting a glance through the railing.

"Poor creatures!" said she, in a gentle, pitying voice; "how dreadful to
think their sufferings are hopeless! for I presume there is no remedy
for such an affliction as theirs?"

"Alas, none, madame!" replied the doctor. "But I must not allow you to
dwell too long on this mournful picture of human misery. We have now
arrived at the place where I expect to find Morel, whom I desired should
be left entirely alone, in order to produce a more startling effect in
the little project on which I build my hopes for his restoration to
reason."

"What idea principally occupies his mind?" asked Madame Georges.

"He believes that if he cannot earn thirteen hundred francs by his day's
work, in order to pay off a debt contracted with one Ferrand, a notary,
his daughter will perish on a scaffold."

"That man Ferrand was, indeed, a monster!" exclaimed Madame Georges;
"poor Louise Morel and her father were not the only victims to his
villainy, he has persecuted my son with the bitterest animosity."

"I have heard the whole story from Louise," replied the doctor. "Happily
the wretch can no more wring your hearts with agony. But be so good as
to await me here while I go to ascertain the state of Morel." Then,
addressing Louise, he added, "You must carefully watch for my calling
out 'Come!' Appear instantly; but let it be alone. When I call out
'Come!' for the second time, the rest of the party may make