There, in fact, the magistrate beheld the pretty Countess sitting on
the ground at Genevieve's knee, while the peasant girl was wholly
absorbed in combing out Stephanie's long, black hair with a huge comb.
The Countess submitted herself to this, uttering low smothered cries
that expressed her enjoyment of the sensation of physical comfort. A
shudder ran through M. d'Albon as he saw her attitude of languid
abandonment, the animal supineness that revealed an utter lack of
intelligence.

"Oh! Philip, Philip!" he cried, "past troubles are as nothing. Is it
quite hopeless?" he asked.

The doctor raised his eyes to heaven.

"Good-bye, monsieur," said M. d'Albon, pressing the old man's hand.
"My friend is expecting me; you will see him here before long."



"Then it is Stephanie herself?" cried Sucy when the Marquis had spoken
the first few words. "Ah! until now I did not feel sure!" he added.
Tears filled the dark eyes that were wont to wear a stern expression.

"Yes; she is the Comtesse de Vandieres," his friend replied.

The colonel started up, and hurriedly began to dress.

"Why, Philip!" cried the horrified magistrate. "Are you going mad?"

"I am quite well now," said the colonel simply. "This news has soothed