that their father was subject to certain humours which they had
reason to dread. Desiree left her occupation and went to him,
linking her arm in his and standing beside him.

"Do not let us think of disagreeable things to-day," she said. "God
will spare you much longer than that, you depressing old wedding-
guest!"

He patted her hand which rested on his arm and looked down at her
with eyes softened by affection. But her fair hair, rather tumbled,
which met his glance must have awakened some memory that made his
face a marble mask again.

"Yes," he said grimly, "but I am an old man and he is a young one.
And I want to see him dead before I die."

"I will not have you think such bloodthirsty thoughts on my wedding-
day," said Desiree. "See, there is Charles returning already, and
he has not been absent ten minutes. He has some one with him--who
is it? Papa . . . Mathilde, look! Who is it coming back with
Charles in such a hurry?"

Mathilde, who was setting the room in order, glanced through the
lace curtains.

"I do not know," she answered indifferently. "Just an ordinary
man."

Desiree had turned away from the window as if to go downstairs and
meet her husband. She paused and looked back again over her