t's a question of common sense and
precaution. I have charge of the case and I will not permit you or
anyone else to cross the threshold of Clairville Manor."

"You would class me then with the Archambaults! My own people, who eat
and drink at my expense and who turn their backs on me in the hour of
trial! Poor Henry, it will finish him, I fear, yet I and none other
must be there to nurse him. _Mon Dieu_, but it is a shame!"

"Silly girl!" snapped Renaud. "There is no nursing for you in this
case. Assuredly, Mlle. Pauline, you do not enter the house, I cannot
allow it. Besides, mademoiselle, you return home too late. If you
remained at Clairville longer, and had the place cleaned out, and saw
to it that it was kept clean, your brother might escape these
sicknesses, but poor girl, poor girl, I find it hard to blame you.
Antoine! turn back and drive to the village. Mademoiselle goes now
along with us."

His allusions if they pained did not soften her, but it was at
Ringfield she continued to look.

"I shall have no place to stay," she said poutingly.

"It's a pity you came at all," said the doctor. "They can find you a
room at Poussette's."

"I will die sooner than go to that man's house. It is a common place,
not fit for me."

"Come, come, you are excited. We know Poussette's weakness for a
pretty face and a fine figure, but here is our new and true friend to
look after you."

"Mine is not a pretty face, Dr. Renaud, and I prefer to look after
myself. You do not understand, I am out of a position by coming here.
I only heard last night that Henry was ill and I came at once,
expecting to be in my own home; I did not know what was the sickness he
had; I have left the theatre to come here and now I have nowhere to go."

Ringfield spoke at last.

"There need be no difficulty at all about your going to Poussette's,
Miss Clairville. You will oblige me by taking my room, which is the
largest and best in the house. As for me, I can do with anything. If
you wish I will go back to your house, sleep there in place of the
servants, and keep you aware of all that goes on, of your brother's
progress at least."

"Quite unnecessary," broke in the doctor testily. "I am in charge of
this case, and one patient at one time is all I care for. Drive back,
Antoine, to Poussette's, where you will leave ma'amselle. Drive quick,
too, for I wish to see the carpenter, Alexis Gagnon, next door to M.
Poussette, where