Poor little fellow! I surprised him in his cradle; his mother and Josephine were rocking him, and singing over him.

Oh! it was a scene, I can tell you.

My poor wife had been ill for some time, and was so weakened by it, that I frightened her into a fit, stealing a march on her that way.

She fainted away.

Perhaps it is as well she did; for I--I did not know what to think; it looked ugly; but while she lay at our feet insensible, I forced the truth from Rose; she owned the boy was hers." While Raynal told him this strange story, Camille turned hot and cold.
First came a thrill of glowing joy; he had some clew to all this: he was a father; that child was Josephine's and his; the next moment he froze within.