"Be quick, Marie, I can't wait much longer," shouted the baron, and
then, quick as thought, he dived down the spiral staircase, in his haste
nearly precipitating himself and his little daughter, who still slept
peacefully, to the bottom.

To let himself out at the side door was the work of a moment; and now,
unless surprised by any of the servants who might be loitering about in
the shrubberies with their lovers, he was safe. He had only to run down
a winding path of about two hundred yards across the grounds to the gate
where Léon was awaiting him. Once the baron started like a robber at a
rustling in the bushes as he passed, but it was only a cat, and once
again he breathed freely, and in less than five minutes from the time he
entered the nursery he stood on the road by the side of the dogcart.

"Is it you, Arnaut?" asked Léon, anxiously peering through the twilight
at his brother.

"Yes, yes, it is all right; here it is," said the baron, holding the
bundle up to Léon.

"How on earth am I to take it? Where is its head? Can't you nurse it
till we get to the yacht?" said Léon.

"No; how should I drive with this thing in my arms? Here, give me the
reins, and take hold. This is its head. Thank you," said the baron, with
an immense sigh of relief as he handed the baby to Léon.

Léon took the bundle so reluctantly, and handled it as delicately as if
it were a piece of priceless china he was afraid of breaking by a touch,
that the baron, who was not in the best of tempers, in spite of his