"What are your last commands, my colonel?"

"That no man shall enter the Chalet," cried the father with strong
emotion. "Dumay, guard my last child as though you were a bull-dog.
Death to the man who seduces another daughter! Fear nothing, not even
the scaffold--I will be with you."

"My colonel, go in peace. I understand you. You shall find
Mademoiselle Mignon on your return such as you now give her to me, or
I shall be dead. You know me, and you know your Pyrenees hounds. No
man shall reach your daughter. Forgive me for troubling you with
words."

The two soldiers clasped arms like men who had learned to understand
each other in the solitudes of Siberia.

On the same day the Havre "Courier" published the following terrible,
simple, energetic, and honorable notice:--

"The house of Charles Mignon suspends payment. But the
undersigned, assignees of the estate, undertake to pay all
liabilities. On and after this date, holders of notes may obtain
the usual discount. The sale of the landed estates will fully
cover all current indebtedness.

"This notice is issued for the honor of the house, and to prevent
any disturbance in the money-market of this town.

"Monsieur Charles Mignon sailed this morning on the 'Modeste' for