"My son," he said, "do you truly and earnestly repent you of your sins ?" Valmond's eyes suddenly grew misty, his breathing heavier.

He scarcely seemed to comprehend.
"I have paid the price--I have loved you all.

Parpon--where are you ?--Elise!" A moment of silence, and then his voice rang out with a sort of sob.
"Ah, madame," he cried chokingly, "dear madame, for you I--" Madame Chalice arose with a little cry, for she knew whom he meant, and her heart ached for him.

She forgot his imposture--everything.
"Ah, dear, dear monsieur!" she said brokenly.
He knew her voice, he heard her coming; his eyes opened wide, and he raised himself on the couch with a start.

The effort loosened the bandage at his neck, and blood gushed out on his bosom.
With a convulsive motion he drew up the coverlet to his chin, to hide the red stream, and said gaspingly: "Pardon, madame." Then a shudder passed through him, and with a last effort to spare her the sight of his ensanguined body,' he fell face downward, voiceless--for ever.
The very earth seemed breathing.