that, is our whole fortune."

Positively the commissary was moved.

"You see, then, madame," he said, "that you cannot hesitate: you must
live."

Maxence stepped forward.

"Am I not here, sir?" he said.

The commissary looked at him keenly, and in a grave tone,

"I believe indeed, sir," he replied, "that you will not suffer your
mother and sister to want for any thing. But resources are not
created in a day. Yours, if I have not been deceived, are more than
limited just now."

And as the young man blushed, and did not answer, he handed the seven
hundred francs to Mlle. Gilberte, saying,

"Take this, mademoiselle: your mother permits it." His work was done.
To place his seals upon M. Favoral's study was the work of a moment.

Beckoning, then, to his agents to withdraw, and being ready to leave
himself,

"Let not the seals cause you any uneasiness, madame," said the
commissary of police to Mme. Favoral. "Before forty-eight hours,
some one will come to remove these papers, and restore to you the