Volume I Part 15 (2/2)

”Good Let us go there,” said the lady, and before the end of five e

The door was opened by an elderly woman She made a courtesy when she saw the lady, and politely said: ”Ah,me?” asked the lady, astonished

”Certainly; his reverence was unfortunately obliged to go on a journey, but there is a letter here for Madalars,” said the lady, quickly

The old woman handed her a letter, and invited her to make herself at home Upon which she left

As soon as the lady found herself alone, she hastily tore open the letter It contained a sealed packet, and these lines:

”MADAME--I am, unfortunately, not able to receive you personally A journey obliges me to be disrespectful Nevertheless I hope to see you to- you to make yourself comfortable in my house All your conditions have been fulfilled I inclose a note addressed to the port inspector at Toulon and hope everything will turn out as you desire

”JEAN BALAIS, Curate of Beaussuet”

The lady put the letter and the note in her pocket, and as the old lady entered with a cup of stealy said:

”Did the priest tell you I was going to stay here over night?”

”Yes, madame! Your room is ready, and I hope you will sleep soundly,”

replied the wolars, looking anxiously about

”Certainly, madame; we are hid here as if in Abraham's bosom”

The lady drank the bouillon, and then said:

”Will you please show me my room?”

”Yes, madame! I hope it will please you,” replied the woman, as she walked up the stairs, followed by the lady

Here she opened a door, and the stranger looked in and saw a large, plainly furnished room At one side stood a snohite bed, a washstand, some chairs, and an old-fashi+oned bureau

”Does this closet lock?” asked Mada the lock ”I have a jewel-case in the coach which I would like to bring to a place of security”

”Ah, the closet is as safe as the poor-box,” the old lady assured her

The lady nodded her pleasure at this, and, after she had convinced herself that the door of the room was in order, she went back to the coach, took a portfolio froe The old lady awaited her at the door; Madalars walked past her and went to the upper story, opened the closet, put the box in it, closed the door carefully, and put both keys in her pocket She then went downstairs again, and, turning to the old woood-by; I shall probably be back again before night”

”Good-by,up, and the roads of Oliolles are dangerous at night”