comprehension as was in her; and no doubt they modified in
some degree her childish views of life, which in these early
days was presented to her, poor child! under no very sublime
or elevated aspect; but they had little interest for her, and
she paid small heed to them. In truth, her passionate love for
her father was, no doubt, at this time her great preservative
and safeguard, ennobling her, as every pure unselfish passion
must ennoble, and by absorbing her thoughts and heart, acting
as a charm against many an unworthy influence around her. The
first sound of his footstep outside was enough to put both
stories and gossip out of her head, and was the signal for her
to spring from her chair, and rush into the passage to meet
him; and a few minutes after they would be seated together in
their room upstairs, she nestling on his knee most likely,
with her arm tight round his neck, while he recounted the
adventures of the evening. His purse would be brought out, and
it was Madelon's special privilege and treat to pour out the
contents on the table and count them over. If M. Linders had
won it was a little fête for both--calculations as to how it
should be spent, where they should go the next day, what new
toy, or frock, or trinket should be bought; if he had lost,
there would be a moment of discouragement perhaps, and then
Madelon would say,

"It does not signify, papa, does it?--you will win to-morrow,
you know."

As for M. Linders, the thought of the little, eager innocent
face that would greet his return home was the brightest and
purest vision that lighted his dark and wayward life, and he