had it, and--we shall be free of all obligation."

The girl sadly shook her head.

"Why do you resort to subterfuges which are so unworthy of you?" she
asked, gently. "You know perfectly well that it was Sairmeuse which
Mademoiselle Armande intended to intrust to the servant of her house.
And it is Sairmeuse which must be returned."

The word "servant" was revolting to a man, who, at least, while the
empire endured, had been a power in the land.

"Ah! you are cruel, my daughter," he said, with intense bitterness; "as
cruel as a child who has never suffered--as cruel as one who, having
never himself been tempted, is without mercy for those who have yielded
to temptation.

"It is one of those acts which God alone can judge, since God alone can
read the depths of one's secret soul.

"I am only a depositary, you tell me. It was, indeed, in this light that
I formerly regarded myself.

"If your poor sainted mother was still alive, she would tell you the
anxiety and anguish I felt on being made the master of riches which
were not mine. I trembled lest I should yield to their seductions; I was
afraid of myself. I felt as a gambler might feel who had the winnings
of others confided to his care; as a drunkard might feel who had been
placed in charge of a quantity of the most delicious wines.