exclaimed,--

"Good news, Henri; I bring you a budget of them. The king has heard of
your gallantry, and inquired into your story."

"Heaven bless him!" exclaimed the mother.

"The memory of your father," continued the baron, "has been vindicated
by a parliamentry decree affirming his innocence. His forfeited
estates are restored to his family; and I bring you, under the king's
seal, your commission as full colonel in the French Guards, and
letters patent of nobility, _Count_ Henri de Montmorenci!"

Henri and his mother were nearly overwhelmed by this good news; while
Heloise clung to her father's arm for support.

"No fainting, girl," said the happy baron. "That will never do for a
soldier's wife. Here, take her, count, make her happy--and let us hear
no more of your volunteering on Forlorn Hopes--at least, during the
honeymoon."

We need not add that the baron's injunctions were implicitly obeyed.




PERSONAL SATISFACTION.


Mrs. Tubbs had been a very fine woman--she was still good looking at