In four years great changes may have taken place in their characters.
Adieu, my old Dumay.

Say to my daughters and to my wife that I have never failed to kiss them in my thoughts morning and evening since I left them.

The second check for forty thousand francs herewith enclosed is for my wife and children.
Till we meet .-- Your colonel and friend, Charles Mignon.
"Your father is coming," said Madame Mignon to her daughter.
"What makes you think so, mamma ?" asked Modeste.
"Nothing else could make Dumay hurry himself." "Victory! victory!" cried the lieutenant as soon as he reached the garden gate.

"Madame, the colonel has not been ill a moment; he is coming back--coming back on the 'Mignon,' a fine ship of his own, which together with its cargo is worth, he tells me, eight or nine hundred thousand francs.

But he requires secrecy from all of us; his heart is still wrung by the misfortunes of our dear departed girl." "He has still to learn her death," said Madame Mignon.
"He attributes her disaster, and I think he is right, to the rapacity of young men after great fortunes.